The transition to piped natural gas (PNG) in India is accelerating, with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) implementing significant reforms aimed at expanding the piped gas network. In the last twenty-five days alone, 2.5 lakh new PNG connections have been provided, and approximately 2.20 lakh consumers have successfully transitioned from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to PNG.
As part of this initiative, households will have a three-month window to switch from LPG to PNG once notified. If they fail to make the switch, their LPG supply may be discontinued. This move is part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported LPG by promoting PNG as a more sustainable alternative.
To facilitate this transition, the government has mandated that permissions for laying pipelines in housing areas must be granted within three days. If public authorities do not grant permission within this timeframe, the application will be deemed approved. Additionally, the order introduces time-bound clearances and standardized charges for pipeline projects.
Neeraj Mittal remarked, “A crisis (has been) turned into an opportunity,” highlighting the ongoing geopolitical energy crisis that has disrupted global oil supplies and prompted India to accelerate its transition to PNG.
The directive also states that the supply of LPG to households will cease within three months if they do not switch to PNG where available. However, if an authorized entity issues a no-objection certificate (NOC) due to technical infeasibility, the LPG supply will not be interrupted.
The government aims to add 15 lakh new PNG connections in the next two weeks, further emphasizing the urgency of this transition. Currently, domestic production of LPG accounts for only 50-60% of the country’s consumption requirements, underscoring the need for alternative sources of energy.
In addition to the rapid expansion of PNG connections, the order allows for a maximum of 48 hours for approvals related to last-mile connectivity and sets a ten-day limit for laying steel or polyethylene pipes.
As the government pushes for a uniform national framework for laying and operating gas pipelines across India, the impact of these reforms is expected to be significant. However, details remain unconfirmed regarding the long-term effects on consumers and the overall energy landscape in India.
