The Indian government has ordered households in areas with existing piped natural gas infrastructure to switch from LPG cylinders to PNG connections within three months, or face discontinuation of gas refill supplies.
The order, issued under the Essential Commodities Act, aims to reduce India's LPG import dependency following the West Asia conflict.
Local area gas distributors will notify households via registered or speed post, and applications can be made by the lawful occupier or owner of the premises.
However, LPG supply will not be cut if the distributor issues a no-objection certificate certifying it is technically infeasible to provide a piped connection.
The compulsory switch applies to areas with existing gas pipeline infrastructure, where six million consumers can make the transition.
India currently has 16.2 million domestic PNG connections, but imports over 60% of the LPG it consumes, with Qatar accounting for 47% of total LPG imports.
