India Sees Rapid Growth in PNG Connections with Over 5 Lakh New Installations

India Shifts to Piped Natural Gas Amid Geopolitical Disruptions

India has accelerated its shift to piped natural gas, with over 5.01 lakh new PNG connections being gasified since March, and more than 5.68 lakh consumers registering for fresh connections. The government is pushing households and industries to move to piped natural gas, a more convenient alternative whose supplies have not been severely impacted by the war in West Asia.

The disruptions in cooking gas LPG supplies have prompted authorities to manage LPG supplies effectively. LPG users within the reach of a PNG connection have been asked to shift, while orders have been issued for expediting approvals for laying of pipelines that supply gas to burner tips.

According to Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, since March 2026, more than 5.01 lakh PNG connections have been gasified. These connections include ones that may have been applied before the crisis as well as after that. Additionally, more than 5.68 lakh customers have been registered for new connections.

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The domestic LPG supply remains stable, with no dry-outs reported at distributorships. Online bookings have risen to 98 per cent across the industry, while delivery authentication code-based supplies have increased to about 92 per cent to curb diversion. Commercial LPG availability has been raised to around 70 per cent of pre-crisis levels, with additional allocations tied to reforms encouraging a shift to PNG.

The government has also doubled daily supplies of 5-kg cylinders for migrant workers via the states. Since late March, more than 19.2 lakh such cylinders have been sold, supported by nationwide outreach campaigns. Natural gas supply has been prioritised for city gas distribution networks, with full allocation to domestic PNG and transport CNG segments and increased supplies to fertiliser plants and industry.

City gas firms such as Indraprastha Gas Ltd, Mahanagar Gas Ltd, GAIL Gas Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd have been directed to prioritise PNG connections for commercial users, while regulatory support has been strengthened through faster approvals and new pipeline rules. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has extended a nationwide PNG expansion drive until June 30.

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