In a significant consumer-centric reform, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has unveiled a proposal for an LPG Interoperability Framework, enabling households to switch between cooking gas suppliers—such as Indane, Bharat Gas, and HP Gas—without changing their existing connections.
This move mirrors the mobile number portability system in the telecom sector, aiming to enhance consumer choice and service reliability.
India has achieved near-universal LPG coverage, with over 32 crore active connections as of FY25. However, persistent consumer grievances—exceeding 17 lakh annually—highlight issues like delayed deliveries and supply disruptions.
These challenges are particularly acute in areas where local distributors face operational constraints, leaving consumers with limited alternatives.
PNGRB emphasizes that consumers should have the freedom to choose their LPG supplier, especially when cylinder prices are standardized across companies.
Historically, a pilot LPG portability scheme was introduced in 2013, allowing consumers to switch dealers within the same oil marketing company. This system was expanded nationwide in 2014.
However, it did not permit inter-company portability, meaning a consumer could not switch from Indane to Bharat Gas or HP Gas. The proposed framework seeks to eliminate this restriction, enabling consumers to receive refills from the nearest available distributor, irrespective of the company, particularly during service disruptions or peak demand periods.
PNGRB has invited public comments on the proposed framework, with a rollout expected after finalizing the rules. The initiative aims to address service failures and ensure uninterrupted access to LPG, thereby safeguarding consumer trust.
This development marks a significant step toward enhancing consumer autonomy and service quality in India’s LPG sector.
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