India pushes LPG-to-PNG household transition

The India — Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has asked states and Union Territories to appoint district-level nodal officers to accelerate the shift of households from LPG to piped natural gas (PNG). In an August 21 letter to state chief secretaries, Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal emphasized PNG's role in India's energy transition, citing safety, cleanliness, and efficiency. The move follows the disruption to India's LPG supply chains during the West Asia crisis earlier this year, which exposed the country's dependence on imported LPG from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait via the Strait of Hormuz. To promote PNG adoption, the government has notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Orders of 2026 and LPG Control Orders under the Essential Commodities Act, prohibiting households from retaining both LPG and PNG connections where PNG is available. The ministry has directed city gas distribution entities and public-sector oil marketing companies to establish PNG Coordination Committees in every geographical area, and district administrations will support right-of-way, consumer outreach, and grievance resolution. India has also diversified its LPG sourcing, including higher purchases from the United States and Algeria, to reduce exposure to Middle Eastern disruptions.