Despite PNG meter connection, nearly 40% customers can't access piped gas Many households with installed piped natural gas (PNG) meters are still unable to receive gas supply, according to recent reports. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has directed city gas distributors to prioritize resolving this issue, as the government continues to promote a shift from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders to PNG. Despite efforts to expand connections, a significant portion of existing customers remain inactive, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current initiatives. Industry experts attribute the problem to a lack of last-mile connectivity, which refers to the final segment of infrastructure required to deliver gas to individual households. City gas companies, including Indraprastha Gas, GAIL Gas, Mahanagar Gas, and BPCL, have been advised to focus on activating existing connections rather than solely expanding new ones. Sujata Sharma, a joint secretary in the oil ministry, highlighted that companies are offering incentives such as free gas worth Rs 500 for households and waived security deposits for commercial users to encourage adoption. The challenge of inactive connections stems from a combination of factors. Some city gas distributors rushed to meet licensing targets in the past, leading to the installation of meters without thorough assessment of actual demand. Additionally, companies often provided connections without upfront payments, allowing customers to pay only once gas supply began. This practice inflated connection numbers but failed to ensure active usage. In many cases, the last-mile pipeline was never laid, or customers opted not to activate their meters due to a lack of need for PNG.#bpcl #indraprastha_gas #petroleum_and_natural_gas_regulatory_board #gail_gas #mahanagar_gas
Middle East conflict: Indraprastha Gas assures uninterrupted PNG, CNG supply Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) has assured consumers that the supply of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for household cooking and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles will continue without disruption despite the volatility in global energy markets caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The assurance comes following the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, issued on March 9, which placed the supply of natural gas to Domestic PNG and CNG in the top priority category, according to news agency ANI. In a statement, the company emphasized its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted supply of natural gas for households and the transport sector in line with the government mandate. "Accordingly, we would like to assure the uninterrupted supply of Domestic PNG for household cooking and CNG for fueling public transport and private vehicles to maintain urban mobility as per the government mandate and availability of natural gas supply," the company said. IGL further stated that it will continue to focus on maintaining high service standards while keeping customer needs at the center of its operations. "IGL remains persistent in its commitment to excellence, ensuring that customer service is at the heart of every endeavour we undertake," the company added. The assurance from the city gas distributor comes at a time when global energy markets are experiencing heightened volatility due to disruptions in crude oil and natural gas supplies linked to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Industry developments indicate that crude oil supply has been significantly affected by the escalating military conflict in the region, pushing benchmark prices such as Brent crude to around USD 100 per barrel.#strait_of_hormuz #middle_east_conflict #indraprastha_gas #natural_gas_supply #ani
Gas Stocks Surge 18% Amid Supply Worries in India Gas-related stocks experienced a significant rally on Wednesday, with Adani Total Gas leading the gains. The company's shares rose as much as 18%, hitting an intraday high of ₹561. Gujarat Gas also saw a sharp increase, climbing 12% to ₹420 during the trading session. Other gas-linked firms, including Petronet LNG, GAIL (India), Indraprastha Gas (IGL), and Mahanagar Gas (MGL), recorded gains exceeding 2% in response to heightened market concerns. The surge in gas stocks is linked to growing anxieties over supply disruptions in the region. The ongoing conflict between Iran and the Israel-US alliance has begun to affect India's energy market, particularly its natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies. Disruptions in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route, have tightened supply chains. Increased security risks for tanker movements have led several international suppliers to issue force majeure notices, citing operational challenges. India relies heavily on imported gas to meet domestic demand, making it vulnerable to such disruptions. In response to the escalating situation, the Indian government has introduced the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order 2026. This directive prioritizes the production and allocation of piped natural gas (PNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and LPG to ensure stability in the domestic market. The order also invokes the Essential Commodities Act of 1955 (ESMA) to safeguard uninterrupted access to cooking gas. Under the new measures, refineries and petrochemical units have been instructed to maximize LPG output and redirect key hydrocarbon resources to the LPG supply chain. The government's actions aim to mitigate the impact of supply shortages and stabilize prices for consumers.#adani_total_gas #gujarat_gas #petronet_lng #gail_india #indraprastha_gas
