LPG to be cut for homes that refuse piped connection where possible: Govt issues order amid energy crisis
PTC News Desk: The government on Wednesday issued a direcctive that LPG gas will be discontinued for the households if consumers fail to switch to piped natural gas wherever connectivity is possible.
Under the new order issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on March 24, households will have just three months to opt for PNG once notified, or risk losing access to LPG altogether.
The directive comes at a time when India is grappling with LPG shortage triggered by global energy crisis due to Middle East tensions.
PNG is continuously supplied to kitchen burners through pipelines, eliminating the need to book refills.
The move is aimed at freeing up areas from LPG where piped gas connectivity is possible in order to equip regions lacking such infrastructure.
The order, issued under the Essential Commodities Act, aims to accelerate the development of pipeline infrastructure by simplifying approval processes, standardising fees, and enforcing strict timelines for permissions.
To speed up implementation, public authorities are required to grant right of way or necessary approvals within set deadlines. If they fail to do so, the approvals will be automatically deemed granted. The order also prohibits authorities from levying charges beyond those prescribed.
In residential areas, bodies controlling access must provide permissions within three working days, while last-mile PNG connections must be delivered within 48 hours. Requests for pipeline connectivity in such areas cannot be denied.
The order also empowers designated officers—vested with authority similar to a civil court—to intervene in disputes related to land access and to grant right of way when needed.
Additionally, authorised entities are mandated to begin pipeline installation within four months of receiving approval, failing which they may face penalties, including the potential loss of exclusivity rights.
- With inputs from agencies
