New Delhi, Mar 28: A high-level meeting on PNG (Piped Natural Gas) and LPG connections was convened in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhavan under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar.

The meeting was attended by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, and supply ministers from nine states. Odisha’s Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra also participated in the discussions.

The meeting focused on expanding PNG connections in urban areas across India. Following the deliberations, Minister Patra stated that targets have been set to increase PNG connections in Bhubaneswar on a priority basis, with plans to extend the initiative to other municipal areas in Odisha.

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“PNG is produced domestically at nearly 60 percent capacity, ensuring easy availability without transportation charges, making it more affordable for consumers,” he explained.

Patra clarified that households opting for PNG connections will no longer be allowed to retain LPG cylinders. He added that within two days, Odisha will hold a meeting with ministers and officials from various departments to discuss implementation strategies.

The minister also addressed public concerns, noting that panic among consumers had led to a 30 percent increase in LPG bookings. He assured that there is no shortage of gas, petrol, or diesel in the state and that adequate stock is available to meet demand. “We are fully prepared to handle any situation,” he said.

The meeting also reviewed PNG connection status in major cities including Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Gurugram, Ranchi, Hisar, Bengaluru, Pune, Nashik, Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Udaipur, and Hyderabad. The presence of three Union ministers, senior officials, and supply ministers from Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts to strengthen India’s energy infrastructure.

This initiative is expected to accelerate the transition towards cleaner and more efficient energy sources, reduce dependency on LPG cylinders, and enhance convenience for urban households.