Centre Launches National PNG Drive 3.0 To Boost Natural Gas Use Across India

The Petroleum Ministry and PNGRB have launched National PNG Drive 3.0, an initiative to expand piped natural gas (PNG) networks across India. Running from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, the drive aims to modernize kitchen fuel delivery by providing hassle-free cooking gas directly to homes, eliminating common LPG cylinder hassles.

The campaign targets adding 50 lakh new household connections, securing 50 lakh new registrations, and reactivating 40 lakh inactive connections in both urban and rural areas. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized the goal of reactivating dormant connections to efficiently utilize the nearly 6.88 lakh inch-kilometers of gas pipelines already laid nationwide.

National PNG Drive 3.0 supports the broader "One Nation, One Gas Grid" initiative, enhancing gas accessibility and building a reliable energy grid. PNG offers continuous supply, ensuring households pay only for exact consumption via digital or mechanical meters, and promotes enhanced safety and clutter-free kitchens. Households should consider pipeline availability, connection charges, and local tariffs before transitioning.

What to watch: The progress of connection targets and network expansion by March 2027.

Editor's note: The article accurately captures the core details, dates, and objectives of the PNG Drive 3.0 initiative using the provided source material.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: News18 India