New Delhi, April 11 (IANS). The government said on Saturday that the total gas allocated to fertilizer plants is being increased by another 5 percent, taking it to about 95 percent of their six-month average consumption. This increase has been made keeping in mind the available gas stock and supply of scheduled LNG cargo.
At the same time, priority is being given to 100 percent gas supply to domestic piped natural gas (PNG) and CNG transport consumers.
The Petroleum Ministry said that gas supply has been started to about 4.15 lakh new PNG connections since March 2026, while about 4.55 lakh additional consumers have registered for new connections. At the same time, till now more than 26,000 PNG consumers have surrendered their LPG connections.
Apart from this, about 1,13,233 metric tonnes of commercial LPG has been sold since March 14, 2026, which is equivalent to more than 60 lakh 19 kg cylinders. On March 10 itself, sale of 7,140 metric tons of commercial LPG was recorded.
According to the Petroleum Ministry, City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies have been directed to give priority to providing PNG connections to commercial establishments like hotels, restaurants and canteens, so as to reduce concerns related to availability of commercial LPG. CGD companies including IGL, MGL, GAIL and BPCL are also providing incentives for domestic and commercial PNG connections.
The government has requested the states and union territories as well as various central ministries to expeditiously grant necessary approvals for the expansion of the CGD network. Additionally, an additional 10 per cent allocation of commercial LPG has been offered to States/UTs provided they cooperate in the long-term transition from LPG to PNG. Currently 18 states and union territories are availing the benefit of additional LPG allocation under this scheme.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has implemented an expedited approval framework for CGD infrastructure for three months so that applications can be approved on priority basis.
To promote a clean, safe and self-reliant energy future, the government has also drafted a model CBG (Compressed Biogas) policy, which will help states develop an investor-friendly and implementation-based framework.
The government has said that states which adopt this policy will be given priority in the next tranche of additional LPG allocation in future.
–IANS
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