As tensions remain high in West Asia and India grapples with the disruption of energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, the government has rolled out a series of measures to encourage households to shift from LPG to piped natural gas (PNG).
The push includes attractive incentives such as free gas up to Rs 500 and waiver of security fees for new PNG connections, according to Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery) at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Why the Push for PNG?
India’s import dependence for LPG is significantly higher than for PNG, making the shift a strategic move for energy security.
“Our import dependency of LPG is much higher compared to PNG. Hence, it is more logical to shift to PNG wherever possible,” Sharma explained.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| LPG Import Dependence | ~60% of demand |
| PNG | Lower import dependence; piped supply |
| Strategic Goal | Reduce import reliance amid global volatility |
Incentives for Shifting to PNG
| Incentive | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Gas | Up to Rs 500 for new PNG consumers |
| Security Fee | Waived for new connections |
| Registration | LPG consumers in PNG-available areas will be notified by registered post |
| Window to Shift | 3 months for LPG consumers to shift |
Early Results: Strong Response
The push has already shown promising results:
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| LPG to PNG Shifts | ~2.2 lakh consumers shifted so far |
| New PNG Connections (Last 25 Days) | ~2.5 lakh |
| Commercial LPG Allocation | 22,000 tons across ~26 states |
| Small 5-kg Cylinders Distributed (Yesterday) | ~30,000 |
Infrastructure Push in Delhi
To speed up expansion, the Delhi government has introduced several facilitative measures:
- Road restoration charges waived for PNG-related work
- 24×7 work allowed for pipeline laying
- Simplified application process through recent notification
LPG Supply: ‘No Shortage, Don’t Fall for Rumours’
The government has sought to reassure citizens that there is no LPG shortage.
“No dry out in domestic LPG supply,” Sharma said, adding, “Don’t fall for rumours. We have sufficient energy supplies.”
| LPG Supply Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Bookings | 92% of refill bookings are online |
| Anti-Black Marketing Raids (Yesterday) | 2,700 raids conducted across states |
| Cylinders Seized | Nearly 2,000 |
Alternative Fuels
The government has also allocated additional kerosene as an alternative fuel option in several states and union territories to ensure energy access.
Global Context
The policy push comes amid ongoing volatility in West Asia. On the diplomatic front:
- PM Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump on March 24.
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the Iranian Ambassador to discuss the regional situation.
