Fuel shift gathers pace in the city:Residents rush for PNG connections as LPG shortages hit amid global supply delays

Due to the US–Iran war leading to delays in the availability of LPG cylinders and the government’s order making PNG connections mandatory, the city is now receiving around 250 to 300 applications daily for PNG connections. Earlier, before the government directive, only about 40 to 50 enquiries were made each day for new connections. This month, till March 25, Avantika Gas has provided 2,510 new connections in the city. In addition, 30 connections have been given to industrial and commercial establishments. 600 PNG connections issued so far The city has around 7.5 lakh families. Out of these, only 1.04 lakh households had PNG connections earlier. In terms of industrial and commercial connections, about 600 have been issued so far. Of these, 65% are commercial and 35% are industrial. As far as supply is concerned, domestic connections are receiving 100% supply. However, industrial and commercial connections are receiving only 55% supply at the normal rate. Gas supplied beyond this monthly limit is being charged at three times the normal rate. The average monthly gas usage is being calculated based on the average consumption of the last six months. Of this quantity, 55% is supplied at the lower rate, while the remaining 45% is charged at a higher rate. Supply for industrial and commercial connections: Only 55% of industrial and commercial connections are being supplied at the normal rate. Gas supplied beyond this monthly limit is being charged at three times the normal rate. Average monthly gas usage is calculated based on the last six months’ average. Of this quantity, 55% is supplied at the lower rate, while the remaining 45% is supplied at the higher rate. Teams working on connections
Manish Verma, Marketing Head of Avantika Gas, said, “Work on laying lines is being done 24 hours a day. Customers are also applying online through the company’s website, completing payments and KYC. The work of providing new connections is being carried out through 20 teams. PNG connections have been made mandatory in areas where the PNG line is already available”. PNG vs LPG: What’s the real difference? PNG (Piped Natural Gas) is delivered through a pipeline, so cylinders are not required. It is cheaper in the long run and considered safer. Billing is meter-based, meaning you pay according to usage. Areas with PNG lines: Vijay Nagar, Scheme 54, 74, 78, 94, 114, Lasudiya, Nipania, Devas Naka belt, around Bengali Chauraha New Township, Silicon City, Mahalaxmi Nagar, Kanadiya Road, Bicholi Mardana/Hapsi, Khajrana Extension, Palda, Tejaji Nagar, Rau-Pigdamber belt, Sudama Nagar, Annapurna area, Chandan Nagar, Rajendra Nagar, Airport Road (towards Gandhinagar). Areas with very little or no PNG: Old city (Rajbada, Malwa Mill, Nandlalpura, Bada Ganpati), densely populated areas, unplanned colonies. PNG lines have not been laid here because of narrow lanes, difficulty in pipeline installation, and issues with the old network. In the fire of rumors, an extra ₹87 crore worth of petrol and diesel was purchased The two-day rush at petrol pumps caused by rumors ended on Thursday. People were able to get petrol and diesel easily. Over the past three days, total petrol consumption reached 72 lakh liters and diesel 91 lakh liters. On normal days, petrol consumption over three days is around 30 lakh liters and diesel 45 lakh liters. This means that, compared to normal days, people purchased an additional ₹87.04 crore worth of petrol and diesel. Tanker loading operations began in many areas On Thursday, from 6 a.m., tanker loading operations began at the Manglia depots of HPCL, Bharat Petroleum, and Indian Oil. By 9 a.m., 24 tankers from Hindustan Petroleum, 34 from Bharat Petroleum, and 15 from Indian Oil had departed the Manglia depot for petrol pumps. Collector Shivam Verma sent officials to the Manglia depot to monitor supply and stock levels. According to District Food Supply Controller Mohanlal Maru, the depot has a 45-day stock. Some pump operators were negligent in placing orders, and a report has been filed against them. Don’t pay attention to any rumors – Shivam Verma In this regard, Collector Shivam Verma said, “People should not pay attention to any rumors. Take petrol and diesel only as needed. Pump operators have been instructed not to supply petrol or diesel in cans, bottles, or drums. Action will be taken if this is violated”. Terminals have stocks lasting up to 2 months Fuel supply in Indore comes through a pipeline that runs directly from Mumbai via Manmad to the Manglia depot. Rajendra Singh Vasu, President of the Petrol Dealers Association, explained that BPCL started a 255 km-long pipeline from Mumbai to Manmad in 1998. This pipeline was primarily laid to transport petroleum products from the Mumbai refinery. Later, in 2003, the Mumbai-Manmad pipeline was extended by 358 km up to Manglia to meet the demands of Madhya Pradesh and northern parts of the country. Bharat Petroleum also has a pipeline from its Mumbai refinery running via Manmad to Manglia. At Manglia, there is a BPCL MRT depot with a terminal. The BPCL terminal always maintains a stock equivalent to two months’ consumption.