Petroleum Ministry Issues Directions to Strengthen Natural Gas Infrastructure, Address Delays The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has initiated reforms to accelerate the expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure, aiming to resolve delays in approvals, land access, and last-mile connectivity. These measures, announced on March 24, 2026, under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), focus on streamlining procedures to enable faster development of natural gas networks for both domestic and commercial use. The initiative also emphasizes creating an investor-friendly environment and improving connectivity in residential areas. India’s government has reiterated that the country has sufficient stock of petrol and diesel, though the push for PNG is intended to alleviate pressure on liquified petroleum gas (LPG) supplies. LPG shortages have been exacerbated by ongoing tensions in West Asia, where a significant portion of the nation’s LPG imports originate. Officials noted that domestic production currently meets 50-60% of LPG demand, underscoring the need for alternative energy solutions. The Ministry’s strategy includes reducing compliance burdens through simplified documentation and clearer guidelines. To incentivize the transition to PNG, commercial entities have been granted additional cylinder allocations, with up to 50% of the quota tied to state and union territory efforts to expand the piped gas network. Domestic consumers are also being offered benefits such as free gas up to ₹500 and waived security and registration charges. Senior officials revealed that India has the potential to add 15 lakh new PNG connections within the next two weeks.#essential_commodities_act #ministry_of_petroleum_and_natural_gas #natural_gas_infrastructure #pipelined_gas_network #lpg_imports
