LPG Vs PNG Amid Fuel Crisis: Is Piped Gas Better Option Amid Cylinder Supply Crisis? A Side-By-Side Comparison

Just to allay any fear you have of LPG cylinder shortages, the government of India has assured sufficient stock while slamming hoarders and black marketers for creating paranoia. In its latest advisory, the GOI stated

Following the LPG Control Order issued by this Ministry, domestic refinery production has been ramped up by 40%, bringing daily LPG output to 50 TMT (more than 60% of our requirement) against a total daily requirement of around 80 TMT. The net daily import requirement has consequently come down to only 30 TMT — meaning India is now producing much more than it needs to import. Over and above domestic production, 800 TMT of assured inbound LPG cargoes are already secured and en route from the United States, Russia, Australia, and other countries, arriving across India’s 22 LPG import terminals—double the 11 terminals that existed in 2014. Approximately one full month of supply is firmly arranged, with additional procurement being finalized continuously.

The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has categorically stated that India’s petroleum & LPG supply situation is fully secure & under control.

✅All retail fuel outlets have enough supplies.
✅There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG anywhere in the country.

The…
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) March 26, 2026

Even so, should you consider switching to PNG, will it be convenient and cost effective? Here’s what we covered in the last article:

NOTE: This is a rough estimate and varies according to supplier	LPG Cylinder	PNG (Piped Natural Gas)
Upfront Cost	~₹1,500 deposit	₹5,000 – ₹20,000
Monthly Fuel Cost	~₹915	~₹515 – ₹615
Monthly Savings vs LPG	Baseline	₹300–₹400 cheaper
Fuel Type	Propane & Butane	Methan
Fuel Supply	Refill cylinder	Continuous piped supply
Environmental Cost	More pollutant than PNG with higher emission	Less pollutant with clearer burn
Price Volatility	High	Moderate
Safety	Moderate	Higher

What Did The GOI Say About PNG?

Piped Natural Gas is being promoted — in full coordination with state governments — because it is cheaper, cleaner, and safer for Indian households. India already produces 92 MMSCMD of natural gas domestically out of a total daily requirement of 191 MMSCMD, making India far less import-dependent on gas than on LPG. City gas distribution has expanded from 57 geographical areas in 2014 to over 300 today. Domestic PNG connections have grown from 25 lakh to over 1.5 crore. This transition was well underway before the current situation arose and reflects India’s long-term energy strategy.

The claim that PNG is being pushed because LPG is running out is misinformation. LPG supply is secure. PNG is simply a better, more affordable and highly convenient fuel for India’s households.

How To Switch To A PNG Connection?

Customers can file an online application for a PNG connection, which undergoes a KYC process and initial payment for a deposit.
Once approved, the prospective user will be assigned a Business Partner (BP) Number.
The next step involves installing the pipeline connection at the customer’s house, which includes a gas meter, valves and a regulator.
Companies that provide PNG in select cities in India are as follows: Indraprastha Gas Limited, Mahanagar Gas Limited, GAIL (India) Limited, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited

You can check if your city is included in this PNG Map by Business Standard here.

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