India's Piped Natural Gas Surge Amid LPG Disruptions

India has ramped up its shift to piped natural gas (PNG) as an alternative to LPG, which faces supply issues due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Over 5.01 lakh households have added PNG connections since March, with 5.68 lakh new registrations filed, said Sujata Sharma from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

The focus is on ensuring that LPG users within the PNG network switch to this more reliable and convenient gas source, while approvals for gas pipeline installations are being expedited. Online LPG bookings surged to 98%, and LPG deliveries verified by authentication codes increased to 92%.

The government's swift actions aim to stabilize gas supplies for both domestic and commercial consumers. Daily allocations for commercial LPG have also been boosted, reflecting efforts to return to pre-crisis distribution levels. A nationwide PNG expansion drive will continue until June, with emphasis on urban and industrial consumption.

(With inputs from agencies.)