India is accelerating the adoption of Piped Natural Gas as a primary household cooking fuel amid concerns over disruptions in LPG imports through the Strait of Hormuz. Since nearly 90% of India’s LPG imports pass through this strategic chokepoint, the government is prioritising PNG expansion to strengthen long-term energy security and reduce dependence on imported cylinders.
Why is India Promoting PNG?
- Energy Security
PNG reduces vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions and global fuel supply shocks by relying increasingly on domestic natural gas infrastructure.
- Continuous Supply
Unlike LPG cylinders that depend on transportation and manual delivery chains, PNG is supplied continuously through underground pipelines, ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability.
- Improved Safety
PNG mainly contains methane, which is lighter than air and disperses rapidly in case of leakage, reducing explosion risks in densely populated urban areas.
- Price Stability
PNG pricing is relatively more stable than LPG because it is linked partly to domestic gas production rather than highly volatile global crude oil prices.
- Fiscal Efficiency
Meter-based billing promotes “pay-as-you-use” consumption and helps reduce subsidy leakages, illegal diversion, and black-market practices.
Challenges Associated with PNG
Despite its advantages, PNG expansion faces multiple challenges:
- High capital costs for laying pipelines and creating city gas infrastructure.
- Low viability in sparsely populated or geographically difficult regions.
- Dependence on uninterrupted electricity for monitoring and flow regulation systems.
- Absence of physical storage buffers unlike LPG cylinders.
- Existing LPG stoves may require burner modifications due to the lower calorific value of natural gas.
Government Measures
The government has adopted several policy measures to expand PNG usage:
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has mandated city gas distributors to achieve minimum pipeline coverage targets.
- Domestic gas allocation policy grants top priority to PNG and CNG sectors during shortages.
- Incentives are being offered to states promoting PNG infrastructure expansion.
- National PNG Drive 2.0 has been extended till June 2026 to accelerate household connections.
The government is also discouraging simultaneous LPG and PNG connections to prevent fuel hoarding and improve transition efficiency.
Current PNG Landscape in India
India’s city gas infrastructure has expanded rapidly:
- Domestic PNG connections: 1.65 crore
- Active connections: 1.03 crore
- CGD coverage: 307 Geographical Areas
- National gas grid: Nearly 26,000 km operational pipelines
- Additional pipeline construction: 10,000 km
PNGRB has set a target of 12.63 crore PNG connections by 2034. Maharashtra leads in active PNG users, followed by Gujarat and Delhi.
Conclusion
India’s PNG expansion reflects a strategic shift toward cleaner, safer, and more secure urban energy systems. While infrastructure and affordability challenges remain, the long-term transition toward gas-based household energy can improve energy resilience, reduce import dependence, and support India’s broader gas-based economy goals.