Patna: A prolonged shortage of cooking gas cylinders in Patna is now changing how many households in the city manage their kitchens. As delays in LPG deliveries continue to affect daily life, residents are increasingly opting for piped natural gas (PNG), which is being seen as a more stable and convenient option. Over the past few months, the shift has become visible in official figures, with both gas usage and domestic connections recording a steep rise.
According to GAIL (India) Limited, PNG consumption in the city has increased significantly since January this year. At the start of 2026, Patna’s daily PNG use was around 9,000 standard cubic metres. That number has now crossed 11,500, reflecting a rise of nearly 1.5 times. Officials say the increase is directly linked to growing demand from households that want to avoid the uncertainty of cylinder bookings and delayed delivery schedules.
The number of homes connected to the PNG network has also expanded quickly. In January, around 28,000 domestic consumers were using the service. That number has now risen to 34,758. The increase suggests that many families are making a long-term switch, especially in neighbourhoods where the pipeline network has already reached residential areas. Residents say PNG offers uninterrupted supply, and once installed, it removes the need to regularly book and wait for LPG cylinders.
The gas pipeline network has spread rapidly across the city in recent months. Supply now reaches areas from AIIMS Patna to the Income Tax roundabout, while expansion work is continuing in Gardanibagh, the Bypass belt and Kankarbagh. A new district regulating station is being set up in Transport Nagar to support further rollout in eastern parts of the city. From there, pipelines are expected to extend to Ashok Nagar and nearby institutions in Mithapur, including Chanakya National Law University and Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna.
At present, PNG supply in the capital is being managed through five district regulating stations located in AIIMS, IGIMS, BIT, Gardanibagh and Nutan Rajdhani. New stations are also planned in Kankarbagh and Fatuha, which is expected to increase access to more households. Among all localities, Jagdeo Path currently has the highest number of PNG users, with more than 6,000 active connections. Many parts of Patna, including Raja Bazar, Khajpura, Bailey Road, Saguna More and Patliputra, are already connected, showing that the city’s dependence on piped gas is growing as the LPG crisis continues.
