The Assam government is actively considering the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) coverage in light of a looming LPG shortage caused by the war in the Middle East. In a recent meeting led by Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota, discussions were held with managing directors and CEOs from several gas companies, including Assam Gas Company Ltd (AGCL), Purba Bharati Gas Pvt. Ltd. (PBGPL), and North East Gas Distribution Company Ltd. (NEGDCL). The meeting focused on reviewing the current PNG coverage and exploring possibilities for its expansion to reach a larger number of domestic consumers within the next three months.
Dr. Kota urged these companies to present their plans for expanding PNG connectivity swiftly so that residents can prioritize access to this alternative energy source. With the interruption of LPG supplies in India, largely due to global shipping disruptions following Iran’s withdrawal from the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, PNG has become an increasingly viable substitute for traditional LPG cylinders.
Oil ministry official Sujata Sharma has also recommended that LPG consumers transition to piped natural gas whenever feasible. Currently, around 333 million households rely on LPG cylinders across India, while over 150 million receive gas through pipelines. Sharma highlighted the potential for approximately six million households that currently use LPG to convert easily to PNG, emphasizing a significant opportunity for addressing the supply challenges posed by the LPG shortage.
