Hyderabad Households Flock to Piped Gas as LPG Delays Mount

The city of Hyderabad is witnessing a surge in demand for piped natural gas (PNG) connections, with Bhagyanagar Gas Limited receiving around 60 to 70 enquiries per day from households seeking PNG connections. This comes amid concerns over delays and waiting periods for domestic LPG cylinders due to disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after the outbreak of the Iran war.

Many households that already have access to piped gas infrastructure but had continued using LPG cylinders are now activating their dormant PNG connections. Officials said this is because residents are seeking to avoid the uncertainty and inconvenience associated with cylinder bookings and deliveries.

The immediate focus is on achieving 100 per cent household coverage in areas where the domestic PNG network has already been established. Efforts are also underway to persuade households still dependent on LPG cylinders to shift to piped gas. The PNG network is expanding across Hyderabad, particularly in West Hyderabad, covering stretches from Chintal and Jeedimetla through Qutbullapur and Hafeezpet.

Officials have sought to dispel safety concerns surrounding PNG, saying that it is designed with safety systems and the gas supplied through PNG pipelines is lighter than air. In the event of a leak, it disperses into the atmosphere, reducing the possibility of accumulation at floor level.