Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are set to receive a more reliable natural gas supply as Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited begins work on a 65-km Steel Trunk Pipeline project, aimed at strengthening the region’s gas infrastructure and supporting growing CNG and PNG demand.
The new pipeline will connect MNGL’s existing network with Indian Oil’s East-West Pipeline, creating an alternative supply route for the two cities. Currently, the region receives natural gas mainly through City Gate Stations at Chikhali and Talegaon, largely dependent on GAIL’s Dahej-Uran-Dabhol-Panvel pipeline network. The new connection is expected to reduce dependence on a single supply route and improve distribution reliability as CNG vehicle numbers and PNG consumers continue to rise.
The project comes amid complaints of low gas pressure at several CNG stations, with motorists and commercial vehicle operators reporting wait times of 30 minutes to an hour to refuel. MNGL expects the additional supply route to improve gas availability and help resolve pressure-related issues over the long term.
MNGL currently operates 131 CNG stations across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, supplying PNG to more than 8 lakh domestic customers and supporting over 6 lakh CNG vehicles, with daily distribution exceeding 14 lakh standard cubic metres of natural gas. The company’s network covers Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Chakan, Talegaon Dabhade, Hinjawadi IT Park and parts of Rajgurunagar. MNGL has set July 2027 as the target for completing the pipeline project.
