Surat: Surat is witnessing a sharp surge in demand for piped natural gas (PNG) connections, with over 11,000 new connections issued in the past one-and-a-half months, according to Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL).

The spike comes amid an administrative directive mandating PNG adoption in areas with pipeline infrastructure. Authorities have warned that LPG supply will be discontinued if consumers fail to switch within three months, effectively making PNG compulsory in covered areas.

GGL, which typically installs around 2,200 to 2,500 connections per month, is now processing 200 to 300 new applications daily. The total number of PNG consumers in Surat has reached approximately 7.40 lakh, reflecting the impact of stricter enforcement.

Data shows that around 6,200 new connections were provided in March, while more than 5,500 households were connected in the first half of April alone. To boost adoption further, the company is offering a discount of up to ₹500 on the first bill for connections taken before June 30.

Officials said the current pace of installations is nearly two to three times higher than the usual monthly average, indicating a significant shift towards PNG in the city amid global energy concerns. DeshGujarat