LPG Crisis / PNG To Be Mandatory In Urban Areas of Odisha: Minister
·2 hours ago·2 min read
Key Points
Odisha government made PNG connections mandatory in urban areas; households opting for PNG will not be allowed to continue using LPG cylinders.
Bhubaneswar, Apr 2: The Odisha government has decided to make Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections mandatory in urban areas, with a directive issued to gas companies to ensure rollout in major cities within the next three months, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said on Thursday following a meeting with oil companies at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.
The minister stated that households opting for PNG connections will not be allowed to continue using LPG cylinders, while LPG supply will remain in force in rural areas. He further informed that beneficiaries availing LPG will undergo e-KYC verification. Notably, even tenants residing in urban areas will be eligible to apply for PNG connections.
It can be mentioned here that India added 580,000 new households to its piped gas supply network in March, compared with 342,300 a year earlier. India is the world's No. 2 importer of LPG, meeting about 60% of its needs with overseas purchases. It shipped in about 22 million metric tons of LPG in 2025, mostly from the Middle East, spending nearly $12 billion.
Also Read: Commercial LPG Prices Hiked by Rs 195.5 Amid Escalating West Asia Conflict
Raid Launched Against Gas Cylinder Black Marketing
Meanwhile, the administration launched a crackdown on alleged black marketing of LPG cylinders in Digapahandi area of Ganjam district following widespread complaints.
A joint team, acting on the directions of the District Collector, conducted raids in Turubudi village and other parts of Digapahandi block. Officials found that while the government-fixed price of a cylinder is Rs 960.50, cylinders were allegedly being sold at inflated rates ranging between Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,500 in several areas.
During the raids, multiple gas cylinders were seized by the administration, and further investigation into the illegal trade is currently underway.
The minister stated that households opting for PNG connections will not be allowed to continue using LPG cylinders, while LPG supply will remain in force in rural areas. He further informed that beneficiaries availing LPG will undergo e-KYC verification. Notably, even tenants residing in urban areas will be eligible to apply for PNG connections.
It can be mentioned here that India added 580,000 new households to its piped gas supply network in March, compared with 342,300 a year earlier. India is the world's No. 2 importer of LPG, meeting about 60% of its needs with overseas purchases. It shipped in about 22 million metric tons of LPG in 2025, mostly from the Middle East, spending nearly $12 billion.
Also Read: Commercial LPG Prices Hiked by Rs 195.5 Amid Escalating West Asia Conflict
Raid Launched Against Gas Cylinder Black Marketing
Meanwhile, the administration launched a crackdown on alleged black marketing of LPG cylinders in Digapahandi area of Ganjam district following widespread complaints.
A joint team, acting on the directions of the District Collector, conducted raids in Turubudi village and other parts of Digapahandi block. Officials found that while the government-fixed price of a cylinder is Rs 960.50, cylinders were allegedly being sold at inflated rates ranging between Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,500 in several areas.
During the raids, multiple gas cylinders were seized by the administration, and further investigation into the illegal trade is currently underway.
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