6,000 PNG Users Surrender LPG Connections as Government Promotes Shift
NEW DELHI: In a significant move towards energy transition, 6,000 piped natural gas (PNG) users have surrendered their Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections as of Saturday, according to a government official. The announcement was made on Sunday by Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, who expressed gratitude to these consumers via social media.
Government Encourages More Users to Switch
Mittal urged additional PNG users to follow suit, stating, "Join this strong bold group of DoGood citizens who have come forward to give up LPG to help those to get LPG who don't have PNG. Give up yours today." This call to action is part of a broader strategy to reallocate LPG supplies to areas lacking PNG infrastructure, amid geopolitical disruptions affecting imports from West Asia.
Supply Prioritization and Infrastructure Expansion
The government has prioritized gas supplies for households and transport, ensuring full allocation to PNG and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Industrial and commercial consumers are receiving approximately 80% of their average usage, while fertilizer plants operate at 70–75% capacity. Additional LNG cargoes are being arranged to secure fuel supplies.
To accelerate the shift from LPG to PNG, the government is fast-tracking the expansion of city gas distribution networks by easing approval processes. In March alone, over 290,000 new PNG connections were added, with companies like Indraprastha Gas, Mahanagar Gas, GAIL Gas, and BPCL offering incentives to promote adoption.
LPG Supply and Regulatory Measures
Despite geopolitical tensions impacting LPG supplies, deliveries remain normal with no reported shortages. Daily refill deliveries have exceeded 55 lakh cylinders, and measures to curb diversion have been tightened. Commercial LPG supply has been gradually restored to around 70% of pre-crisis levels, prioritizing hospitality, food services, and key industries.
The government has also increased kerosene allocations to states and intensified actions against hoarding and black marketing, conducting nearly 2,900 raids and seizing about 1,000 cylinders in recent days. States are advised to enhance monitoring, hold daily briefings, counter misinformation, and expedite gas infrastructure approvals.
Policy Push for PNG Adoption
In a recent policy update, the government plans to discontinue LPG cylinder supply after three months to households with PNG access that have not opted for a connection, unless technically infeasible with a no-objection certificate. This aims to free up LPG for regions without PNG networks.
Consumers in PNG-covered areas, including renters, are required to transition, with gas being treated as a basic utility. An estimated 60 lakh domestic and commercial consumers are eligible for the shift, with about 2.2 lakh already moving from LPG to PNG recently. The government targets providing 12.6 crore PNG connections by 2032.
The government reiterates its advice to the public not to believe rumours and to support the energy transition efforts.
