LPG Connection In Karnataka: Why New LPG Gas Cylinder Connections Are Pending In Bengaluru, Mysuru, Cities?

Thousands of families in Karnataka have applied for new LPG connections. However, their LPG application continues to remain pending, which is concerning for the state government. Accordingly, the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister, Rizwan Arshad, appealed to Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for allowing new LPG connections amidst rising demand.

Karnataka LPG: Why New LPG Connections Pending In Bengaluru, Mysuru, Other Cities?

In a letter to Puri, Arshad said, "Karnataka has witnessed significant population growth, urbanization and expansion of residential settlements in recent years. Consequently, there is a continuing demand from eligible households for new domestic LPG connections."

He revealed that a considerable number of newly formed households, including economically weaker families, migrant and low-income households, and several families in newly developed residential areas -- yet to receive their LPG connections.

As much as 36,000 applications are pending for new domestic LPG cylinders connection. He said, "After the global LPG crisis, the process for enabling new domestic connections has been stopped and the applications are pending for new domestic LPG connections from the past few months."

Arshad fears that the non-availability of domestic LPGs could push families and households to switch to traditional alternatives for cooking gas. These include firewood, charcoal and kerosene, which will increase women's workload, impact indoor air pollution and could lead to household accidents.

He believes that migrant workers, low-income families and employees in the growing urban and rural areas of cities like Bengaluru may face immense difficulties in securing LPG connections.

Arshad also believes that the price difference between a 14.2 Kg domestic LPG connection and 5 Kg mini LPG cylinders could further increase the burden of middle-class and economically weaker households.

Further, the non-availability of LPG connections could lead to black market hoarding and encourage illegal activities in the desire of clean cooking fuel.

A clarity on applying for a new LPG connection is yet to be known. Since the conflict in Middle East escalated in late February, to curb LPG supply shortages, the government has banned new LPG connections. As per reports, many customers still try to apply for LPG connections, but bookings remain closed across gas companies like Indian Oil, HPCL, and BPCL. As per reports, no new connections for 14.2 Kg Indane Gas, HP Gas and Bharat Gas have been issued since March 2026.

Since the West Asia war began in late February, global oil and gas supply has taken a huge hit at Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that holds 20% of transportation economically. Last month, reports said that Indian refiners are ramping up productions for LPG, which has averaged to 44,000 tons daily, which is close to 20% more than the average production in August.

There are currently several alternatives to LPG usage. These include:

5 Kg Gas Cylinder

The 5Kg gas cylinder are basically mini or chottu cooking gas that are easily available in the market. These are Indane Chhotu, or Bharat Gas Mini or HP Gas Appu, and citizens can buy them at any LPG distributor. These cylinders are majorly meant for migrants, workers, students, and families who do not have fixed residency or address proof.

5 Kg cylinders of free-trade LPG are available without the need for proof of address or a lengthy application process. Customers do not require submitting address proofs or security deposits to buy 5Kg cylinders. They also do not need to submit documents like Aadhaar card, PAN cards, and voter IDs. The 5 kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinder can be refilled as many times in the year. The time taken to refill can be even less than 10 minutes.

10 Kg Gas Cylinders

Recently, OMCs have pushed for 10Kg gas cylinder through quick-service platforms like Swiggy's Instamart. Indian Oil launchedIndane XTRALITE NOW which is lightweight and completely a Free Trade LPG (FTL) product, without domestic LPG subsidy.

Meanwhile, HPCL launched HP Navya which is available across more than 100 cities. And BPCL offers Bharatgas Lite ZIP which has been developed for customers who value convenience, speed and modern service standards.

PNG Connection

The city-gas distribution companies and OMCs have been expanding connections to piped natural gas (PNG) at full swing.

To get a PNG connection, first you need to meet the eligibility criteria. The first and foremost is to check whether your society or area has PNG infrastructure, because this is the biggest priority. If they do, you can easily apply for a new PNG connection at the Indian Oil, HPCL and BPCL websites or visit the LPG distributor for switching to PNG. You will be required to pay connection charges if required, along with surrendering your LPG connection and submitting necessary documents for new PNG connections.

For PNG, you will be required to submit documents like transfer and subscription vouchers of LPG, consumer records, security deposit receipts, address update details, and other identity proofs like Aadhaar card, Passport, electricity bill or driving license or PAN card and voter id.