PNG Drive 3.0 targets 50 lakh new connections, shifts focus to gas network utilisation

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, along with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and city-gas distributors, on Thursday launched National PNG Drive 3.0, stepping up efforts to accelerate the shift towards piped natural gas (PNG) for households.

The latest phase, which will run until the end of FY27, targets 50 lakh new domestic PNG connections, conversion of 40 lakh existing connections into active consumers and onboarding another 50 lakh domestic PNG registrations.

The initiative builds on the second phase, which ran from January 1 to June 30, 2026, and added around 13.4 lakh billed connections, while generating more than 15.3 lakh domestic PNG registrations.

PNGRB data showed a sharp acceleration in adoption during the second phase. Average daily additions of domestic PNG connections rose 43% to 6,690 from 4,702, while daily additions of billed consumers increased more than two-and-a-half times to 7,392 from 2,781.

The third phase would focus on improving utilisation of existing city-gas infrastructure. The government also plans to accelerate PNG adoption in newly connected areas, particularly semi-urban and rural markets.

According to PNGRB, around 6.9 lakh inch-km of pipeline infrastructure has been laid across the country, including approximately 2.5 lakh inch-km of steel pipelines and 4.42 lakh inch-km of MDPE pipelines. This network has the potential to support around 1.3 crore domestic PNG connections.

In a social media post, Mr. Puri said “this will strengthen India’s vision of increasing the share of natural gas in the primary energy mix from around 6% currently, while providing a cleaner, reliable and affordable energy source.”