Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 23: The Centre has asked states and Union Territories to appoint district-level nodal officers to accelerate the shift of households from LPG to piped natural gas (PNG) in areas where piped gas networks are already available.
In an August 21 letter to state chief secretaries, Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal said district-level administrative support was necessary to coordinate between city gas distribution (CGD) companies, oil marketing companies (OMCs) and consumers and ensure that the transition takes place within the prescribed timelines.
“PNG brings a safer, cleaner and more efficient cooking fuel, playing a critical role in advancing the country's energy transition objectives,” Mittal said in the letter. He added that faster adoption of PNG would reduce the logistical burden associated with LPG distribution, improve consumer convenience and help make better use of CGD infrastructure created through significant public and private investment.
The move follows the government's notification of a regulatory framework aimed at preventing households from retaining both LPG and PNG connections in areas where piped natural gas is available. Under the new orders, households that do not apply for a PNG connection despite receiving due notice could have their LPG supply discontinued.
The government has also directed authorised CGD entities and public-sector oil marketing companies to establish PNG Coordination Committees, or PCCs, in every geographical area. These committees will identify eligible households and housing societies, issue notices and organise outreach camps to facilitate PNG connections.
According to the Petroleum Ministry, the PCC mechanism is already operational. However, its experience has shown that greater intervention from district administrations is required to complete the transition within the prescribed deadlines.
District administrations will assist CGD companies in securing right of way or right of use from housing societies and resident welfare associations. They will also help coordinate between LPG distributors and CGD companies, support consumer verification and outreach programmes and address grievances raised by consumers.
The district authorities may further assist designated officials in exercising powers under LPG control orders in cases where access to non-public premises is denied.
The ministry has suggested that state food and civil supplies departments provide the required administrative support, citing their existing regulatory links with LPG distributors and their extensive field-level presence.
Mittal has asked every state and Union Territory to nominate a district-level officer of at least the rank of district supply officer to coordinate with local PCCs. States and UTs have also been asked to provide the names, designations and contact details of the nominated officers at the earliest.
The Centre's push for greater PNG adoption comes after disruptions to India's LPG supply chains during the West Asia crisis earlier this year. The government was forced to prioritise domestic LPG supplies after disruptions affected imports, leading to restrictions on supplies to some commercial and industrial consumers.
The situation highlighted the relative resilience of domestic PNG supplies, which receive priority allocation of domestically produced natural gas. The government is now seeking to expand household PNG connections and city gas distribution infrastructure as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported LPG and strengthen the country's energy security.
To support the transition, the ministry has notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Orders, 2026, along with LPG Control Orders under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
The Centre has asked states and Union Territories to accord priority to the exercise and ensure that the shift to PNG in areas where the network is available is carried out in a coordinated and time-bound manner.