PNGRB Celebrates 19th Foundation Day
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) celebrated its 19th Foundation Day on 6th October 2025 at Dr. Ambedkar International Center in New Delhi. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Puri was the chief guest at the event. The event also had as its guests the Chairman of 16th Finance Commission of India Dr. Arvind Panagariya as the guest of honor.
The foundation day celebrations saw the institution of awards to recognize outstanding contributions by city gas distribution (CGD) entities and natural gas pipeline (NGPL) operators. The categories instituted were awards for best performing CGD entity (large, medium and small categories) for achievements in network expansion, customer service, and safety standards, best performing NGPL operator for operational efficiency, reliability, and innovation in pipeline management, innovation and sustainability award for entities adopting green practices, digital solutions, and sustainable operations, and consumer service excellence award for initiatives ensuring consumer convenience, grievance redressal, and quality of service. The awards for the categories were given by Mr Hardeep Puri.
The day-long event began with an inaugural session by Dr Arvind Panagariya on India’s downstream energy regulation journey. Commenting on PNGRB’s contribution to advancing India’s energy transition and competitiveness, he said, “A transparent and competitive energy sector is vital for sustaining India’s growth and ensuring sustainability. PNGRB’s regulatory reforms in pipelines and LNG evacuation are instrumental in achieving these goals.”
On the occasion of its foundation day, PNGRB released publications and digital initiatives. It released a publication titled ‘PNGRB Success Story – Bridging Energy Horizons’ to celebrate its 19 years, a compendium of 20 select study papers, a newsletter in Hindi titled ‘PNGRB’ Darpan, and a compendium of case studies on sustainability. PNGRB also inaugurated the National Hydrocarbon Infrastructure Monitoring System (NHIMS) developed by it for data transparency, and infrastructure monitoring.
PNGRB was established as a result of PNGRB Act, 2006 through a Gazette Notification. It is mandated to regulate the refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas, while protecting the interests of consumers and fostering fair trade and competition.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Hardeep Puri lauded PNGRB’s role driving India’s energy transition and promoting natural gas as a key bridge fuel towards a cleaner, greener future.
PNGRB Chairman Dr. Anil Kumar Jain spoke on the occasion and said, “PNGRB will continue to focus on strengthening consumer protection, expanding natural gas and petroleum product pipeline access, ensuring effective monitoring of entities, and promoting sustainability and competition for the orderly growth of the sector.”
