Centre accelerates piped gas rollout to reduce LPG dependency

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed state governments to expedite the adoption of piped natural gas for cooking purposes, part of a broader strategy to diversify India's domestic fuel mix. The initiative seeks to shift households away from liquefied petroleum gas, which faced supply chain disruptions earlier this year amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

To drive the transition, the Centre has instructed states to appoint dedicated district-level officers who will oversee PNG expansion in their respective jurisdictions. These officials are expected to coordinate with gas distribution companies and handle regulatory approvals to accelerate pipeline infrastructure development and consumer connections.

The move reflects growing concerns about India's vulnerability to global LPG supply shocks. PNG offers a more stable, domestically-sourced alternative for household cooking, reducing dependence on imported fuels. The government has set ambitious targets for expanding PNG infrastructure across urban and semi-urban areas.

State authorities have been asked to prioritize areas with existing or planned gas pipeline networks to maximize efficiency and minimize deployment costs. The push comes as India seeks to enhance energy security while transitioning towards cleaner cooking fuel options across the country.