If you use LPG cylinders for cooking, a new government initiative could eventually give households another option for getting cooking gas. The Centre has approved an Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections, aimed at increasing the number of active piped natural gas connections across the country.

The scheme will come into effect from September 1, 2026, and is designed to encourage City Gas Distribution companies to connect more households to PNG networks and activate connections that are currently not being used.

What is changing with the new scheme?

The government wants more households to have access to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) directly through a gas pipeline connected to their homes.

Under the new incentive programme, City Gas Distribution companies will be encouraged to convert existing but inactive connections into working connections and expand PNG infrastructure into new areas.

According to the government, India currently has around 1.74 crore domestic PNG connections.

How is PNG different from an LPG cylinder?

Unlike LPG, which is supplied in cylinders that need to be booked and replaced periodically, PNG is delivered directly to the kitchen through a pipeline.

This means households with an active PNG connection do not need to store LPG cylinders or arrange cylinder deliveries every time their cooking gas runs out.

PNG is also promoted as a cleaner and convenient cooking fuel option for households.

Will everyone get a PNG connection?

No. The scheme does not mean that every household will automatically receive a PNG connection.

Availability depends on whether a City Gas Distribution network has reached your locality. The expansion of pipelines into additional areas will determine how many more households can actually access the service.

Therefore, if PNG infrastructure is being developed in your neighbourhood, the new scheme could make it easier for more households to get an active connection.

What should households do?

If you are interested in switching from LPG to PNG, check whether a PNG network is already available in your area.

You should also compare the applicable connection charges, security deposit, gas tariff and other charges before making a decision. These costs can vary depending on the city gas distributor and local regulations.

It is also important to remember that having a PNG connection does not necessarily mean your cooking expenses will always be lower than LPG. Actual expenditure depends on consumption, prevailing tariffs and LPG prices.

Why is the government promoting PNG?

The government says the initiative is aimed at making piped natural gas more accessible while encouraging the expansion of India's city gas distribution network.

For consumers, the biggest attraction is convenience: instead of depending on cylinder deliveries, households with an active PNG connection can receive cooking gas through a pipeline.

The new scheme will begin from September 1, 2026, so households in areas where PNG infrastructure is expanding may see greater availability of this option in the coming months.