Chennai, May 8:
The Central government has introduced stricter regulations for domestic cooking gas usage under its “One Household, One Gas Connection” policy, a move aimed at promoting the use of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and preventing misuse of LPG cylinders across the country.
According to the new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, households that already have active PNG connections may soon become ineligible for fresh LPG connections or even future cylinder refills. Authorities have begun identifying homes that are simultaneously using both LPG cylinders and PNG facilities.
The policy is part of the government’s broader push to streamline cooking gas distribution, curb black marketing of LPG cylinders, and encourage cleaner energy alternatives in urban and semi-urban regions. Officials believe the existing system has led to duplication of subsidies and misuse of domestic LPG cylinders in several areas.
Under the revised framework, city gas distribution companies have been instructed to accelerate the expansion of PNG networks in residential neighbourhoods and commercial establishments. Hotels, restaurants, canteens, and other food businesses are also being encouraged to shift completely to PNG-based cooking systems.
Sources indicate that households located in areas where PNG infrastructure is already available may face discontinuation of LPG supplies if they fail to switch to PNG before the end of June 2026. The government sees PNG as a safer, uninterrupted, and more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional LPG cylinders.
Officials say the “One Household, One Gas Connection” policy is designed to ensure fair distribution of LPG cylinders, especially in regions where access to cooking gas remains limited. By reducing duplicate connections and unnecessary usage, the government hopes to improve supply efficiency and reduce operational losses.
The latest decision is expected to significantly impact urban households in metropolitan cities where PNG connectivity has expanded rapidly over the last few years. In cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad, thousands of households have already adopted PNG for daily cooking requirements.
However, the move has also raised concerns among some consumers who prefer retaining LPG cylinders as backup support during maintenance issues, pipeline disruptions, or emergencies. Experts point out that while PNG offers continuous supply, infrastructure reliability and service response systems will need to improve further before a complete transition can happen smoothly.
Industry observers believe the policy could also reduce the burden on the government’s LPG subsidy system. Over the years, authorities have repeatedly flagged illegal commercial use of subsidised domestic LPG cylinders as a major challenge. Officials say stricter verification systems and digital monitoring are now being implemented to identify irregularities in gas usage patterns.
Consumers who wish to apply for a new PNG connection can do so through their local gas distribution provider. The process generally involves visiting the official website of the gas company, selecting the “New PNG Connection” option, filling in personal and address details, uploading identity and address proof documents, and paying the required installation or registration fee.
The commonly required documents include Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence for identity verification, along with address proof such as electricity bills, rental agreements, or property ownership documents. Tenants may also be required to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the landlord.
Officials have clarified that the implementation process will happen in phases and that awareness campaigns will be conducted to educate consumers about the transition from LPG to PNG. More detailed operational guidelines are expected to be issued in the coming weeks as state-level authorities coordinate with gas distribution companies for execution of the policy.