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Gujarat Mandates PNG Shift, Sets March 18 Deadline for Dual Gas Users

The Gujarat government has directed domestic and commercial consumers with both LPG and piped natural gas connections to surrender their LPG cylinders by March 18. Officials state adequate PNG stocks are available and the move is part of managing fuel supply and prioritizing a shift to piped gas. The state is also arranging kerosene distribution in rural areas, with specific allocations per district and family. Sector-wise caps on commercial LPG have been outlined, with full supply for hospitals and schools, while monitoring teams have been deployed to prevent irregularities.

Key Points: Gujarat PNG Push: Dual Gas Users Must Surrender LPG by March 18

  • PNG transition prioritized
  • Kerosene distribution in rural areas
  • Sector-wise LPG caps for services
  • State monitoring gas agencies
  • Buffer stocks of LPG increasing
3 min read

Gujarat prioritises shift to PNG, asks dual gas users to surrender LPG connections by March 18

Gujarat directs LPG users with PNG connections to surrender cylinders by March 18 to manage fuel supply and prioritize natural gas transition.

"Consumers, who have both LPG and PNG connections, have been asked to give up their LPG connections by March 18 - Mona Khandhar"

Gandhinagar, March 16

The Gujarat government, on Monday, asked domestic and commercial LPG consumers, who also have piped natural gas connections, to give up their LPG connections by March 18, as part of efforts to manage fuel supply and expand the use of PNG.

The directive was announced during a press conference held at the Gujarat Assembly complex in Gandhinagar following the presentation of the state's Budget estimates for 2026-27.

Gujarat Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department's Additional Chief Secretary, Mona Khandhar, said the state currently has adequate stocks of domestic LPG cylinders and that buffer stocks are continuing to increase.

"Kerosene distribution arrangements are also being made in the state along with LPG," Khandhar said, adding that the state government is coordinating continuously with the Central government to ensure sufficient availability of fuel.

She said that adequate stock of PNG is available across the state for both domestic and commercial use and that the state government is prioritising the transition of LPG consumers to PNG where connections already exist.

According to Khandhar, consumers, who have both LPG and PNG connections, have been asked to give up their LPG connections by March 18 as part of the gas conversion process.

The state government has also initiated arrangements to distribute kerosene in rural areas as an additional option alongside LPG supply.

Khandhar said the Central government has allocated 1,452 kilolitres of kerosene, equivalent to 14,52,000 litres, to the state.

"Of this, 36,000 litres have been allocated to each district. From this stock, five litres will be provided per family and 25 litres per institution. Necessary arrangements are being put in place," she added.

Officials also outlined sector-wise allocation of commercial LPG for essential and semi-essential services.

Hospitals and educational institutions will receive 100 per cent supply, while pharma companies, dairy industries, seed processing industries and airline and railway canteens will receive supply with a 70 per cent cap.

Essential services such as the fisheries sector will receive supply with a 10 per cent cap.

Semi-essential sectors, including restaurants, dhabas, hotels, corporate and industrial canteens, corporate guest houses and food processing units, will also receive LPG supply with a 10 per cent cap.

To monitor distribution, the state has deployed teams of revenue and police personnel across public and private gas agencies.

The state government said the move is intended to ensure timely supply to consumers and prevent irregularities.

Officials said 912 inspections have been carried out at the district level over the past 12 days, while the state-level team has conducted investigations in 17 cases.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Giving up LPG by March 18 is a very short notice. What about the security deposit we paid for the cylinder? Will that be refunded? The government should clarify these details first.
A
Aman W
Good move. PNG pipeline network is quite good in Gujarat cities. One less thing to worry about - no more last-minute cylinder booking. But they must ensure PNG pressure remains consistent.
S
Sarah B
The focus on hospitals and schools getting 100% supply is reassuring. Public health and education should always be the priority in such resource allocation plans.
K
Karthik V
What about villages and towns without PNG lines? They are talking about kerosene distribution, but that's a step backwards. The government should expand PNG infrastructure first, then ask people to surrender LPG.
N
Nisha Z
My mother still prefers the LPG stove for certain traditional cooking. PNG is great for daily use, but having a backup cylinder was helpful during festivals or when cooking large meals. A bit disappointed.
D
David E
The monitoring with police and revenue teams is crucial to prevent black marketing. Hope this ensures fair distribution, especially to the essential sectors mentioned.

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