If you are planning to switch from LPG cylinders to piped cooking gas, there is an important government initiative you should know about. The Government of India has launched an incentive scheme to promote domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections across the country.

The scheme came into effect from September 1, 2026, and is aimed at increasing the number of active domestic PNG connections by encouraging City Gas Distribution companies to expand their networks and convert existing but inactive connections into working connections.

What is the new PNG scheme?

The government has introduced the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections to accelerate the expansion of piped natural gas services for households.

According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India currently has around 1.74 crore domestic PNG connections.

The new scheme is designed to encourage City Gas Distribution companies to make more connections operational and extend PNG infrastructure to additional areas.

How does PNG reach your kitchen?

Unlike LPG, which is supplied through cylinders, PNG is delivered directly to a household through an underground or above-ground pipeline network.

Once a household is connected to the local PNG network, the gas can be used through a compatible kitchen connection without requiring regular cylinder deliveries.

This can make the process of obtaining cooking fuel more convenient for households in areas where PNG infrastructure is available.

Is the government giving free PNG connections?

The scheme does not mean that every household will automatically receive a completely free PNG connection.

Instead, the government is providing incentives to City Gas Distribution companies to encourage them to expand and activate domestic PNG connections.

The actual cost, installation process and charges applicable to a consumer can depend on the local gas distribution company and the applicable connection terms.

Why is the government promoting PNG?

One of the main objectives is to increase access to piped cooking gas and encourage the use of a cleaner and convenient fuel option.

The government says the scheme is intended to make domestic PNG connections more accessible and accelerate the expansion of the city gas distribution network.

Who can benefit?

The scheme is relevant to households located in areas covered, or expected to be covered, by a City Gas Distribution network.

If PNG pipelines are available in your locality, you can check with the authorised gas distribution company about:

• Availability of a domestic PNG connection

• New connection charges

• Security deposit, if applicable

• Installation requirements

• Metering and billing

• Expected timeline for activation

Households in areas without a PNG distribution network may have to wait until the infrastructure reaches their locality.

PNG versus LPG: What is the difference?

The biggest difference is how the fuel reaches the consumer.

With LPG, households generally receive gas in cylinders that need to be replaced when empty. PNG, on the other hand, is supplied continuously through a pipeline network.

PNG also uses a meter-based billing system, meaning consumers are charged according to their measured consumption under the applicable tariff.

For households considering a switch, the decision can therefore depend on availability, local pricing, connection charges and individual consumption patterns.

What should you do if PNG is available in your area?

If your locality already has PNG infrastructure, contact the authorised City Gas Distribution company and ask whether domestic connections are currently being offered.

Before applying, check the complete tariff and connection terms rather than assuming that the government incentive means the connection will have no cost.

You should also verify the identity of the authorised gas distributor and avoid making payments to unauthorised agents.

A push towards wider household PNG access

The government's new incentive scheme is primarily aimed at expanding the domestic PNG network and increasing the number of active household connections.

With 1.74 crore domestic PNG connections already in the country, the new initiative is intended to accelerate further adoption by encouraging gas distribution companies to expand their networks and activate more connections.

For households considering PNG, the most important first step is to check whether the service is available in their locality and then compare the applicable connection and usage charges with their existing cooking-fuel arrangement.