India's Cooking Fuel Revolution: PNG Connections Surge to Record Levels
India is experiencing a profound transformation in household cooking fuel consumption, with piped natural gas (PNG) emerging as the fastest-growing choice nationwide. Energy sector officials confirm adoption has accelerated dramatically in recent months, signaling a fundamental shift in consumer preferences and household energy infrastructure.
Unprecedented Growth in PNG Connections
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) chairperson Anil Kumar Jain and Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) managing director Kamal Kishore Chatiwal have both highlighted record-breaking expansion in PNG connections, driven by increasing consumer convenience and robust supply stability.
"In March, we connected more than 10,000 households per day, adding over 300,000 new connections. This is a record achievement," stated PNGRB chairperson Anil Kumar Jain, emphasizing that this remarkable growth momentum continues unabated.
Chatiwal provided historical context for this acceleration: "The connection rate we used to have in the pre-war period has become three times faster today. Earlier, it used to be 3-4 thousand connections across all of India, but now we're achieving 10-12 thousand daily."
Ambitious Targets and Industry Coordination
The executives revealed even more ambitious goals for the future. "The target given to us by PNGRB suggests we will reach 30,000 connections per day. When the entire City Gas Distribution (CGD) industry works together, we can achieve 30,000 connections daily," Chatiwal projected confidently.
Consumer Shift from LPG to PNG
Officials identified a clear behavioral change as households increasingly recognize the superior convenience of piped supply systems compared to traditional LPG cylinders.
"People earlier believed LPG was better and reliably available, and it would continue to be so. But now people are realizing that piped natural gas is even better than LPG," explained Jain, describing this as part of a broader evolution in how consumers view essential utilities.
He elaborated: "Just like water and electricity are supplied directly to homes, people are now seeing cooking fuel being delivered similarly. Earlier, there was uncertainty, but now that is turning into confidence."
Chatiwal reinforced PNG's safety credentials: "Household gas, the piped gas coming into homes, we can see it as the safest option available."
Government Strategy and Supply Stability
Officials confirmed there is no shortage of LPG, PNG, CNG, petrol, or diesel in the country, with all supply systems operating stably.
"The government has developed a medium-term vision where, along with LPG, another gas option should also be promoted. LPG will remain the primary program, but we are moving toward promoting piped natural gas as well," Jain explained, noting that PNG expansion forms part of a structured national strategy.
A nationwide campaign launched from January 1 to March 31, 2026, initially progressed slowly but gained significant momentum following geopolitical developments, including the situation around the Strait of Hormuz.
"Following recent developments, the government directed state governments and companies to accelerate PNG expansion. Targets were made more ambitious, and the program has been extended for another three months," Jain revealed.
Chatiwal emphasized supply prioritization: "The government has kept household PNG as a top priority, so because of this, we are not facing any supply problems."
Domestic Production and Safety Assurance
Chatiwal provided crucial data about domestic production capacity: "The total household gas we're using right now is approximately 3.8 million standard cubic meters per day. Leave aside imported gas, domestic household gas production itself is approximately 100 million standard cubic meters daily. So we're using just 3-4 percent of production for domestic PNG, ensuring both adequate supply and 100 percent safety."
Officials also highlighted significant unused capacity within the existing network. "Today, there are around 60 lakh connections across the country that are already connected but not taking gas for various reasons," Chatiwal noted, adding that this inactive base offers immediate expansion potential: "We have an immediate ready-made number we can gasify immediately."
Chatiwal expressed strong growth expectations: "I believe that within the next year, the current 1 crore connections will double."
Consumer Incentives and Adoption Schemes
To encourage wider adoption, companies have introduced multiple affordability schemes and flexible payment options.
"There are many schemes available, like the one rupee per day scheme," Chatiwal explained. "Apart from this, for those paying 6,000 rupees, we're giving 500 rupees of gas free, which we've extended until June." He noted that EMI options are also available for consumers.
"So now consumers who aren't in a position to pay 6,000 rupees upfront have many schemes available that allow them to switch immediately," he added.
Chatiwal urged households using both LPG and PNG to fully transition to piped gas, citing adequate supply availability and system stability: "We have many households with both LPG and gas connections. We're requesting people to surrender their LPG connections. There is sufficient gas available, and there are no problems with supply."
