March 24: The Government of India has reported the issuance of over 3.5 lakh domestic and commercial piped natural gas (PNG) connections for cooking in the first three weeks of March, signalling a rapid push towards cleaner fuel adoption.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, domestic LPG cylinder deliveries continue without disruption, while panic bookings have declined significantly despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. No fuel “dry-outs” have been reported at distributorships or retail outlets operated by oil marketing companies.
To balance demand, the government has restored 20% commercial LPG supply and proposed an additional 10% allocation to states and Union Territories, linked to ease-of-doing-business reforms for PNG expansion. Domestic LPG production has also been ramped up, with refineries operating at high capacity and maintaining adequate crude inventories alongside sufficient petrol and diesel stocks.
Priority allocation remains in place, with 100% supply ensured for domestic PNG users and CNG transport, while industrial and commercial consumers are currently receiving around 80% of their usual supply.
City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies such as Indraprastha Gas Limited, Mahanagar Gas Limited, GAIL Gas Limited, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited have been directed to prioritise PNG connections for commercial establishments, with incentives offered to accelerate the transition from LPG.
The government has urged states and Union Territories to fast-track approvals for CGD network expansion, while proposals from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on promoting PNG adoption are currently under review.
Additionally, central ministries have been asked to assess PNG demand across government establishments and appoint nodal officers to coordinate implementation, alongside expediting clearances for CGD infrastructure projects.
The measures reflect a coordinated strategy to strengthen energy resilience, promote cleaner fuels, and reduce dependence on LPG amid evolving global uncertainties.
