The government has issued a new order that will make piped natural gas (PNG) mandatory in places where it is available, and said LPG supply to households may be stopped if consumers do not switch within three months of being notified.
The move is aimed at speeding up gas network expansion, easing pressure on LPG supplies and reducing dependence on a single fuel.
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According to the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on March 24, LPG supply “shall cease after three months” if a household does not opt for PNG despite availability.
The order, however, makes an exception where PNG connection is technically not possible, subject to a no-objection certificate.
The policy comes at a time when India is facing LPG shortage concerns, with disruptions in West Asia affecting supplies from key sources.
Officials said the idea is to free up LPG for areas where pipeline connectivity is not available and encourage a shift to PNG, which is supplied through pipelines and does not require repeated cylinder bookings.
The order also seeks to speed up pipeline infrastructure by simplifying approvals, standardising charges and fixing timelines for permissions. Public authorities will have to grant right of way or other clearances within set deadlines, failing which approvals may be treated as granted. Authorities will also not be allowed to impose charges beyond the prescribed limits.
In housing complexes, the order says entities controlling access must give permissions within three working days. It also says last-mile PNG connectivity should be provided within 48 hours, and applications for such connections in housing areas cannot be rejected.
If access is not given, a notice will be issued and, after three months, LPG supply to that address will stop.
Also Read: Centre Says Claims Of 14.2-Kg LPG Cylinder Carrying 10 Kg Gas 'Highly Speculative': Report
The order gives designated officers powers similar to those of a civil court to resolve disputes related to land access and right of way. It also says authorised entities must begin laying pipelines within four months of approval, or they could face penalties, including loss of exclusivity.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has been named the nodal agency to monitor the order's implementation. It will track approvals, rejections and compliance across the country.
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