New Delhi: As the government aggressively appeals to people to opt for piped natural gas (PNG) connections amid the gas supply disruptions following the closure
of the Strait of Hormuz, India added more than 3.1 lakh new PNG connections in March and another 2.7 lakh connections were issued.
The US-Israel and Iran war has disrupted LPG supplies. The Indian government has advocated and appealed to people to apply for piped natural gas. The piped gas connection is considered more convenient as gas is delivered through a pipeline directly to home, without getting through the booking refills.
India fast-tracking PNG connections due to global gas crisis
The US-Iran war has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz. Notably, India imported most of its LPG through this strategic waterway. India produces 50 per cent of its total requirement of natural gas and purchases the rest from diversified sources.
“During the month of March, more than 3.1 lakh connections including domestic, commercial, hostel, mess, canteen etc. have been gasified. In addition to above, more than 2.7 lakh new connections have been given and are being gasified,” the statement released by oil ministry said.
At the end of February, there were 1.64 crore domestic PNG connections, 48,568 commercial and 21,512 industrial connections. The 3.1 lakh connections are those which had been applied earlier and supplies started in March. The 2.7 lakh are the new applications for PNG connections submitted during March, for which gas supplies are in the process of being started.
The Oil Ministry said the government has directed city gas distributors to fast-track PNG connections. The government has led a national expansion drive for prioritising PNG rollout to households, commercial establishments and institutions.
The ministry assured that there are adequate stocks of petrol and diesel in the country. All refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate inventories, it added.
In an attempt to stop retail prices of petrol and diesel from rising, the government last week cut excise duties on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre each. It also imposed export levies on diesel and aviation turbine fuel to boost domestic supply.
The government urged citizens to avoid panic buying as “supplies remain adequate”.
The government has proritised Natural gas supplies for households and transport, with full allocations for PNG and CNG segments, while industrial users are receiving about 80 per cent of average consumption.
