In a significant step towards managing domestic fuel demand, the Government of India has expressed gratitude after more than 6,000 consumers using Piped Natural Gas (PNG) voluntarily gave up their Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections.
The development comes at a time when LPG supply chains are under pressure due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, impacting imports and distribution across the country.
Reacting to the development, Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary Neeraj Mittal publicly acknowledged the contribution of citizens in supporting the government’s efforts.
In a message shared on social media, Mittal said: “6,000 PNG consumers surrendered their LPG till yesterday! A big thanks to them!!”
He further urged more eligible consumers to follow suit, appealing to those with PNG access to voluntarily relinquish LPG connections so that supplies can be redirected to households without pipeline connectivity.
Push for PNG gains momentum amid global crisis
The government has intensified efforts to promote PNG as a reliable and efficient alternative to LPG. Unlike LPG, which depends significantly on imports, PNG is partly domestically produced and sourced through diversified supply chains, making it less vulnerable to international disruptions.
Officials indicated that this transition is not only a short-term response to supply constraints but also part of a long-term strategy to modernise India’s urban energy infrastructure.
In a decisive policy move, the government has issued an order stating that LPG supply may be discontinued within three months for households that have access to PNG but fail to switch.
The directive is aimed at accelerating the transition and ensuring that limited LPG resources are prioritised for areas where PNG infrastructure is not yet available.
Centre targets 50 lakh new PNG connections
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar recently chaired a high-level meeting to review the expansion of PNG networks across urban India.
The government has set an ambitious target of rolling out 50 lakh new PNG connections, signalling a major push toward cleaner and more efficient energy systems.
With the ongoing global crisis affecting energy supplies, the Centre’s strategy focuses on balancing demand by encouraging voluntary participation alongside policy enforcement.
The surrender of LPG connections by PNG users is being seen as a crucial step in ensuring that vulnerable and remote households continue to have access to essential cooking fuel.
