Kolkata, March 27 The Kolkata chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has initiated discussions with Bengal Gas Company Ltd (BGCL) to explore the feasibility of piped natural gas (PNG) as an alternative fuel for restaurants facing disruptions, amid a supply shortage of commercial LPG.
Restaurant industry representatives recently met senior BGCL officials, including CEO Anupam Mukhopadhyay, to understand the availability of PNG infrastructure and the possibility of its phased rollout for the restaurant sector.
The move comes as eateries across several parts of the city are grappling with irregular LPG supply and delays in cylinder refills, prompting the sector to explore more reliable long-term fuel options to ensure uninterrupted operations.
BGCL currently has pipeline presence in areas such as Kalyani, Barrackpore, and up to Jessore Road in Kolkata, officials said.
Once the necessary clearances are obtained, the company plans to accelerate pipeline laying, and can extend the network by about 3 km daily using multiple machines, they said.
The government had recently indicated that establishments would have to mandatorily apply for PNG connections, with BGCL being the authorized supplier in the region.
Piyush Kankaria, Chapter Head of NRAI Kolkata, said the industry is looking at alternatives amid the LPG-related challenges.
“It is important for the industry to actively explore alternative fuel solutions. Our interaction with BGCL is a step towards understanding how PNG can support restaurants in the long-run, even as we navigate current constraints,” he said.
NRAI Kolkata said it will continue engaging with stakeholders to explore solutions that can support uninterrupted operations and long-term sustainability of the city’s food and beverages sector.