- The pace of transition from LPG to PNG is being increased in Varanasi.
Amidst the ongoing conflict and tension between America, Israel and Iran in West Asia, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday (May 18, 2026) has given a big statement on the supply of crude oil and gas availability in India. He said that it has been 80 days since the war between America and Iran started, but India is the only country in the world where there is no shortage of crude oil. Apart from this, the reserves of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) in the country are also completely filled.
Union Minister spoke on energy supply in India
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in the press conference after the Disha Committee meeting held on Monday (May 18) in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, ‘This is the second major war (between America, Israel and Iran) in the last four years. Before this, there has been a war going on between Russia and Ukraine for more than four years, which has affected the global energy supply, but India is the only country in the world where there is no shortage of crude oil, PNG and LPG.
#WATCH | Varanasi, UP | Amid West Asia crisis, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, says, “It is going to be 80 days since the war in West Asia started. In the last four years, this is the second major war after Russia and Ukraine. India is a country,… pic.twitter.com/l9bI4W6Idk
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026
He said, ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took many decisions in this serious matter. We have not increased the prices of petrol, diesel and gas in the country in the last four years, on the contrary we have also reduced the prices.
PNG connections are increasing in Varanasi.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, ‘At present, due to the impact of global energy supply, the situation is such that the country’s oil companies are incurring a loss of Rs 1,000 crore every day, while the under-recovery is even more.’
Regarding Varanasi, he said, ‘We are trying to rapidly convert the LPG connections in Varanasi into Piped Natural Gas (PNG). It has increased four times so far, but I think it is still low. According to statistics, till now 800 new connections of PNG are being given every day. There are 400 connection takers who are leaving their LPG and converting to PNG.
Also read: ‘If anyone raises hands on the police…’, CM Shubhendu Adhikari’s last warning to stone pelters in Bengal

