**7. Enablers for natural gas market growth**

The government and regulators have created a conducive environment for investment in gas market development. Consequently, large private players are involved in the entire natural gas value chain. Domestic natural gas allocation policy prioritized gas allocation to the CGD sector, which catalyzes market expansion.

The domestic gas price trends (**Figure 6**) suggest that the market-based pricing mechanism augurs well for the market development. The domestic natural gas price was fixed at \$2.90 per million British thermal units (mbtu) for October 2021–March 2022. The ceiling price for natural gas was fixed at \$6.13 per mBtu for October 2021– March 2022.

The government's decision to develop a pan-India natural gas grid will be one of the biggest enablers for gas market growth. Less penetrated regional markets in north-east, east, and south India will get access to natural gas. The availability of natural gas will boost industrial, economic, and social progress in those regions.
