India Pushes States to Accelerate Piped Natural Gas Adoption

The Indian government is pushing states to speed up the adoption of piped natural gas (PNG) for households, seeking district-level officers to drive the transition from LPG. In a letter to state chief secretaries on August 21, Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal emphasized the importance of PNG in advancing India's energy transition and reducing logistics burdens associated with LPG distribution.

Mittal highlighted that PNG brings a safer, cleaner, and more efficient cooking fuel, playing a critical role in achieving the country's energy transition objectives. He noted that accelerated adoption contributes to reducing the logistics burden associated with LPG distribution, enhancing consumer convenience, and improving utilisation of CGD infrastructure created through substantial public and private investment.

The ministry is seeking district-level intervention as it moves to implement a regulatory framework aimed at preventing households from retaining both LPG and PNG connections in areas where piped gas is available. To promote faster PNG adoption, the government has notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Orders of 2026 and LPG Control Orders under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.