Gaya: District magistrate (DM) Shashank Shubhankar directed officials to ensure piped natural gas (PNG) connections and uninterrupted gas supply to all hotels and monasteries in Bodh Gaya within seven days on a priority basis.The instruction was issued during a review meeting held at the collectorate auditorium on Tuesday to assess progress of the domestic and commercial PNG network.Officials said the first phase for the Gaya urban area targets 7,032 household PNG connections by March 31, 2027. At present, 4,320 households are receiving regular gas supply through the pipeline, with 15 to 20 new consumers being added daily.The DM instructed the executing agency to immediately start supply to 52 households where all formalities are complete and to another 30 households where the pipeline charging process has already been completed.These households are located in Ashok Vihar Colony, Kendui, Lakhibagh, Magadh Medical, Bhusunda and Janakpur.With the tourist season approaching, officials said special focus is being placed on Bodh Gaya. Currently, 27 major hotels in the district, including eight in Bodh Gaya, are using commercial PNG.Establishments including the Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (BIPARD) campus are already connected. The administration will also launch a campaign to encourage more commercial units to apply for PNG connections.Officials said Indian Oil Gas Private Limited has started underground pipeline-laying work in 12 major localities of the city, with safety standards and modern engineering practices being followed during installation.akumaar.teju@gmail.com
