India has added 120,000 new piped natural gas (PNG) connections in just two weeks, according to government data released on 18 March 2026. The move comes as liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies face disruption due to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, prompting authorities to encourage households to shift from LPG cylinders to PNG.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed that the rapid expansion of PNG connections is part of a broader effort to ensure uninterrupted access to cooking fuel. Authorities have also urged consumers to avoid panic buying of LPG cylinders, emphasizing PNG as a more reliable and sustainable option.
Expansion Drive
The government’s push for piped gas connections reflects its long-term vision of expanding city gas distribution networks. With new connections being installed across urban centers such as Mysuru and Ahmedabad, PNG adoption is expected to reduce dependency on imported LPG and stabilize household energy supply.
Policy Measures
In addition to expanding PNG, the government has restricted LPG refills for households already connected to piped gas networks. This measure aims to manage limited supplies and prioritize distribution to areas without PNG infrastructure.
Future Outlook
Analysts believe the accelerated rollout of PNG connections will strengthen India’s energy resilience. As geopolitical tensions continue to affect LNG imports, PNG expansion is likely to play a critical role in ensuring affordable and reliable cooking fuel for millions of households.
Key Highlights
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India adds 120,000 new piped gas connections in two weeks
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Expansion driven by LNG supply disruptions due to U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran
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Government urges households to shift from LPG cylinders to PNG
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LPG refills restricted for consumers with PNG connections
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PNG rollout strengthens energy resilience and reduces import dependency
Sources: The Hindu BusinessLine, Yahoo Finance, The Economic Times