8L PNG connections in a month: Official | India News
NEW DELHI: Nearly eight lakh new piped gas customers joined a drive by the government and gas companies to boost its use and reduce dependence on cooking gas cylinders last month, a top official said on Sunday.“We have managed quite well, consistently supplying around 50 lakh cylinders, fully meeting domestic demand and up to 80% commercial demand. There is no reason to fear any shortage,” the official told TOI. About half of the new piped gas connections – for household and commercial use – have been activated, while the rest are in process.Separately, more than 16,000 LPG connections have been surrendered following government action to ensure that those with active piped gas connections cannot hold cylinders, reducing pressure on the system. Those willing to surrender their connections can submit details on the designated portal, which has a ‘Hall of Fame’ to recognize customers who have voluntarily surrendered their connections.Amid concerns over supply shortages and long queues, officials said there are adequate stocks of crude oil, petroleum products and cooking gas, which are being replenished. “We have been doing pretty well for over a month, and we are supplying and importing from wherever we need,” the official said.The Center urged people to use alternatives like induction and electric cooktops wherever possible. Officials said online cylinder bookings have increased to 95%, while authentication code-based distribution – aimed at preventing diversion at the distributor level – has increased from 53% in February to 90% now.To help the migrant population without regular LPG connections, oil companies have sold around 6.6 lakh portable 5 kg cylinders since March 23, including 90,000 on Saturday, against a daily average of 70-75,000 before the war.The government hopes that the recent measures will improve the flow of raw materials to industries facing shortages. From packaging units to pharma, companies face supply disruptions due to the conflict in West Asia.
