India Pushes States to Speed Up PNG Adoption Amid LPG Supply Chain Disruptions

The Indian Petroleum Ministry is pushing states and Union Territories to accelerate the adoption of piped natural gas (PNG) for household cooking, citing its benefits in advancing India's energy transition. In a letter to state chief secretaries on August 21, Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal emphasized that PNG is a safer, cleaner, and more efficient cooking fuel.

Mittal noted that the accelerated adoption of PNG contributes to reducing logistics burdens associated with LPG distribution, enhancing consumer convenience, and improving utilization of city gas distribution (CGD) infrastructure. The ministry has directed authorized CGD entities and public-sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) to establish a PNG Coordination Committee (PCC) in every geographical area.

The PCC will identify eligible housing societies and households, issue statutory notices, and conduct outreach camps to accelerate PNG connections. District-level administrative support is crucial for implementing the transition within prescribed timelines, according to Mittal.