India has activated over 1.2 lakh PNG connections in two weeks to counter LPG supply disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict.

The government has activated more than 1.20 lakh piped natural gas (PNG) connections for domestic, commercial, and industrial users, as well as CNG stations, over the last 2 weeks, as the conflict in West Asia continues to disrupt India’s LPG supplies, with commercial users bearing the brunt.

LPG supplies monitored, output increased

Besides, State governments have lifted almost 7,200 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the last four days. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), during the briefing on West Asia on Wednesday, said that priority sectors continue to receive protected gas supplies, including 100 per cent supply to domestic PNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) transport, while supplies to industrial and commercial consumers are being regulated at around 80 per cent.

Commercial LPG consumers are being encouraged to switch to PNG, and establishments such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals and hostels can obtain PNG connections from authorised city gas distribution (CGD) entities. In the last two weeks, around 1.20 lakh new PNG connections have been issued, including domestic, commercial, industrial, and CNG stations, she added.

LPG supply continues to be monitored in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation, and no dry-outs have been reported at distributorships, said Sharma, adding that domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased by about 40 per cent.

Besides, no dry-outs have been reported at distributorships. This would mean that, compared to the average daily LPG production in February 2026 (37,929 tonnes), average daily output may have increased to roughly 53,100 tonnes.

States step up LPG allocation, supply stable

About 15 States/UTs, such as Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and others, have issued orders for the allocation of non-domestic LPG, and commercial LPG supply is being made available across the country. Sharma emphasised that domestic LPG cylinder deliveries are continuing as normal and instances of panic booking are reducing.

While online LPG bookings have increased from 83 per cent to 93 per cent, the delivery authentication code coverage has expanded from 53 per cent (February 2026) to about 81 per cent to prevent diversion. Regarding the supply of petrol and diesel, Sharma informed that all refineries are operating at high capacity and have adequate crude inventories. India has sufficient production of petrol and diesel, and no imports are required to meet domestic demand. No cases of fuel dry-outs have been reported.

Shipping and diplomatic efforts underway

On vessels idling around the Strait of Hormuz, Rakesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary at the Shipping Ministry, said there are 22 ships west of the Strait in the Persian Gulf. These vessels are loaded with roughly 3.2 lakh tonnes of LPG, two lakh tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 16.7 lakh tonnes of crude oil.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said the Ministry continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region. The Ministry is in touch with Iran and other countries for the safe passage of these 22 vessels through the Strait.

Published on March 18, 2026