In a strategic move to accelerate the expansion of clean energy infrastructure across urban Odisha, the State Housing and Urban Development Department has issued a comprehensive order designed to simplify and expedite approval processes for City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects.
The directive was officially released on Wednesday by Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department and Chairperson of IDCO. The initiative reinforces the State Government’s commitment to fostering a gas-based economy and enhancing public access to clean, efficient fuel in urban centres.
As per the order, Urban Local Bodies have been directed to waive permission fees for laying underground pipelines and related City Gas Distribution (CGD) infrastructure.
To eliminate procedural bottlenecks, the order stipulates that no fresh permissions will be required for projects that are already sanctioned or currently ongoing, ensuring seamless continuity in execution.
The state government has placed a heavy emphasis on time-bound progress, directing all concerned authorities to dispose of pending and new applications promptly to avoid any further delays.
In a significant logistical shift, seasonal restrictions on road-cutting have been relaxed specifically for CGD projects, allowing work to maintain a steady pace throughout the year without traditional disruptions.
While facilitating ease of execution, the order also ensures accountability. CGD entities will be responsible for restoring roads and infrastructure at their own cost, in accordance with the prescribed standards.
The Director, Municipal Administration, has been designated as the nodal authority for coordination and monitoring of CGD-related works across the state.
Inter-departmental synergy is also a priority, with the Works, Water Resources, Energy, and Panchayati Raj departments advised to extend full cooperation for effective ground-level implementation.
These measures will remain in force till June 30, 2026, or until further orders.
Ultimately, this initiative is expected to rapidly increase the rollout of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections, promoting sustainable fuel usage and strengthening Odisha’s urban infrastructure for an energy-efficient future.
