Gandhinagar: Gujarat Energy Limited’s (GEL) supply strategy has helped revive Morbi’s ceramic industry, with the number of operational units rising sharply from 83 to over 670 in just one and a half months, Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel said on Tuesday.

The Morbi ceramic cluster, one of the country’s largest manufacturing hubs, had faced disruptions during the recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Rising raw material costs, restrictions on industrial propane usage and higher transportation expenses had led several units to suspend operations from the second half of March.

Formerly known as Gujarat Gas Limited, GEL ensured uninterrupted gas supply and price stability by diversifying sourcing beyond Middle Eastern markets, the minister said. The company also held discussions with stakeholders, including the Morbi Ceramic Association, to support the resumption of industrial activity.

The minister stated that GEL’s PNG network in Morbi connects approximately 865 industrial units. As of March 31, only 83 units were operational, but by May 17, more than 670 units had resumed operations, indicating a strong revival in manufacturing activity.

Patel also said GEL expanded PNG use in domestic and commercial sectors during the crisis period. Between March 1 and May 17, the company provided around 40,000 domestic PNG connections, 13,000 reconnections and 500 commercial connections.

Across Gujarat, City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies together added around 85,000 domestic PNG connections and 1,100 commercial connections during the same period. The focus remained on essential sectors, such as hospitals, hostels, community kitchens, schools, colleges, and industrial canteens. DeshGujarat