PNG drive 3.0 to expand piped gas network launched

NEW DELHI: Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri Thursday launched PNG Drive 3.0, aimed at expanding the piped gas network across the country and facilitating a shift from LPG cooking gas cylinders.The campaign will run from Oct 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and support govt’s objective of increasing the share of natural gas in India’s energy mix from around 6% to 15%. The drive was launched during the 20th foundation day celebration of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).The gas regulator has set a target of adding 50 lakh new domestic PNG connections, converting 40 lakh inactive connections into active PNG users and registering an additional 50 lakh domestic PNG users. While PNG networks have been mandated in 309 geographical areas (GAs) across the country, the campaign will be actively run in 274 GAs where the pipeline network has reached, with a focus on 80 where the scope for converting LPG users to piped gas and activating existing but inactive connections is high.While city gas distribution companies have so far laid networks for nearly 1.8 crore connections, the number of active users is a little over 1.2 crore. During PNG Drive 2.0, which ran from Jan 1 to June 20 this year, 12.1 lakh new connections were given, 13.4 lakh connections were activated and 15.3 lakh registrations were made.PNGRB also launched a unified portal to apply for new connections, track applications and register grievances.Speaking at the event, Puri highlighted India’s resilience in navigating global energy market volatility while advancing the nation’s transition towards a gas-based economy. He said that despite global energy market volatility, with international price spikes of 70%-80%, strategic cuts in central excise duty on petrol and diesel helped keep domestic fuel prices stable and insulated Indian consumers.Petroleum secretary Neeraj Mittal urged city gas distribution companies to leverage special schemes to reduce cost recovery and accelerate the adoption of PNG.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.