LPG Cylinder Booking: No more hassle booking LPG cylinders; 50 lakh new connections to be provided.
For many families, the routine of booking an LPG cylinder every month, waiting for delivery, and worrying about the next booking before the current cylinder runs out is a daily hassle. Timely delivery is crucial—especially for households that rely entirely on LPG for cooking—to avoid running out of gas. The government is now focusing on gradually transitioning people away from this system and towards piped gas supply directly to their homes. To this end, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) have launched the 'National PNG Drive 3.0'.
This campaign will run from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Its primary focus is to add 5 million (50 lakh) new domestic PNG connections across the country. Additionally, the initiative aims to reactivate approximately 4 million (40 lakh) connections that were previously obtained but are currently not in use. The government also targets securing 5 million new PNG registrations. In essence, the coming months will see efforts to connect as many families as possible to piped gas.
The most significant advantage of PNG (Piped Natural Gas) is that consumers do not need to store gas cylinders at home; the gas reaches the kitchen directly via a pipeline. This eliminates the inconvenience of booking a refill and waiting for delivery once a cylinder runs out. It is evident that if more people switch to PNG, the demand for LPG cylinders could decline. Consequently, an expansion in PNG coverage could reduce the number of consumers dependent on LPG cylinders in the future.
Under the PNG system, the bill is generated based on gas consumption recorded by a meter installed at the home; payment is made according to the actual amount of gas used. However, PNG is not available in every area, and factors such as connection costs, billing, and local rates depend on the respective gas distribution company. Government's Target
According to an IANS report, the government's focus under the 'National PNG Drive 3.0' is not limited to merely adding new households. While a large number of PNG connections already exist in the country, some remain unused; the initiative aims to reactivate approximately 4 million such connections.
Simultaneously, emphasis is being placed on optimizing the utilization of the existing gas pipeline network. Launching the campaign, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that reactivating old, inactive connections would be just as crucial as onboarding new consumers.
Plans to Expand Beyond Major Cities to Smaller Towns and Villages
The government does not intend to restrict PNG access solely to major cities. The campaign emphasizes expanding the PNG network into semi-urban areas—specifically smaller towns—and rural regions. According to the PNGRB, approximately 688,000 inch-kilometers of gas pipeline have already been laid across the country. The Ministry notes that the existing network has the capacity to accommodate a significant number of new connections. Consequently, the aim is to maximize the utility of existing pipelines to supply gas to more households.
Benefits for the General Public
If a PNG pipeline has already reached your area—or is expected to arrive soon—you may soon have the option to choose piped gas over LPG cylinders. PNG can eliminate hassles such as storing cylinders, booking refills, and waiting for deliveries. The government views this campaign as a step toward increasing gas availability nationwide and advancing the 'One Nation, One Gas Grid' vision. However, whether switching to PNG is more beneficial than continuing with LPG will depend on factors such as local availability, connection charges, and gas prices.
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