India Rolls Out National PNG Drive 3.0 to Expand Piped Gas

The Petroleum Ministry and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board have launched National PNG Drive 3.0, a programme that runs from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 to broaden piped natural gas (PNG) access across India. The drive targets the addition of 5 million new household connections, the registration of another 5 million users and the reactivation of 4 million dormant pipelines in both urban and rural areas.

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted that reactivating dormant PNG connections is a core goal, noting that the existing network already spans roughly 6.88 lakh inch‑kilometres of pipelines nationwide. The initiative will leverage digital or mechanical meters so households pay only for the exact gas consumed, eliminating the need for bulky LPG cylinders and booking schedules.

Under the scheme, billing schedules and installation fees will vary by local city gas distribution companies, but the government stresses that the PNG supply offers uninterrupted cooking fuel, enhanced safety and a clutter‑free kitchen. The drive also aligns with the broader “One Nation, One Gas Grid” vision aimed at creating a reliable, nation‑wide energy grid.

What to watch: rollout progress of new connections and the impact on LPG demand across small towns and rural communities.