New LPG Rules: “One Household, One Gas Connection” Policy Explained

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has amended the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2026. This new policy aims to streamline energy distribution and reduce duplicate subsidies by targeting households that use both LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) cylinders and PNG (Piped Natural Gas).

1. Who is Affected by the New Rules?

The core of the new regulation is the “One Household, One Gas Connection” policy.

• Target Group: Households that currently have an active PNG connection but also maintain an LPG cylinder connection (from Indane, HP, or Bharat Gas).
• The Penalty: If you have functional PNG access, you may no longer be allowed to receive LPG refills or keep the domestic cylinder connection.
• Enforcement Deadline: Stricter enforcement is expected to begin in urban areas by June 30, 2026.

2. Why the Shift to PNG?

The government is promoting PNG as a superior alternative to traditional cylinders for several reasons:

• Safety & Space: PNG is supplied at low pressure and eliminates the need for storing heavy cylinders inside the kitchen.
• Convenience: There is no need for monthly bookings or waiting for delivery; the supply is continuous.
• Efficiency: It reduces the logistical pressure on oil companies and helps the government better target LPG subsidies for rural areas where pipelines aren’t feasible.

3. How to Apply for a PNG Connection

If you live in an urban area with existing pipeline infrastructure, you can transition to PNG by following these steps:

Application Process:

1. Identify Provider: Visit the official website of the authorised gas provider in your city (e.g., IGL, MGL, Adani Gas, etc.).
2. Fill Form: Complete the domestic PNG connection application form online.
3. Documentation: Upload or submit the necessary proofs (listed below).
4. Payment: Pay the required installation charges or security deposit.
5. Installation: Schedule a technical inspection. Once cleared, the company will install the meter and the pipeline.

Required Documents:

• Identity Proof: [Aadhaar Redacted], PAN, or Voter ID.
• Address Proof: Latest electricity or water bill.
• Ownership Proof: Property documents or a valid rent agreement.
• Photos: Recent passport-sized photographs.

4. Surrendering Your LPG Connection

Under the amended rules, households with PNG access are encouraged to voluntarily surrender their LPG connections. If both remain active, you may stop receiving subsidized refills automatically. To surrender, you typically need to return your cylinder and pressure regulator to your local distributor and collect a Refund Receipt for your security deposit.