Which is safer cylinder or gas pipeline?

While the government’s targets and ambitions have motivated energy companies to supply natural gas to a wider base, what are the benefits that motivate people to opt for piped gas lines? We spoke to 5 people from different walks of life, who have one thing in common - they all use PNG. Here’s what they had to say about the switch from gas cylinders to piped gas lines:

Samin Sayeda, Writer, Resident of Delhi
Using PNG for 3 years

ET Spotlight

I have been living alone for the past 4 years. Cooking was once a chore because I had to keep a tab on the date of the cylinder refill, whether it has been connected properly, and other such things. However, I recently switched to piped gas line and it has made my life very easy. I can curb my midnight hunger pangs with some quick recipes without worrying about running out of gas. The convenience of piped gas lines is what makes it my preferred choice. The bills can easily be kept on auto-pay mode and the constant reminders on messages are also helpful.

Ranjana Nijhawan, Homemaker, Resident of Gurugram

Using PNG for 4 years

ET Spotlight

I have been using a piped gas line since we shifted to Gurugram 4 years ago. Having used gas cylinders for a long time, the shift to a piped gas line was comfortable. PNG is better on every front. It is very convenient to use, economical and, most importantly, it is not space-consuming. It is always good to have some extra storage space in the kitchen. In the past, there have been situations when guests had come in unannounced and we ran out of gas midway. The struggle to find a spare cylinder in such situations was real. However, with PNG, this hassle is a thing of the past. All things considered, I would always prefer using a piped gas line, for it’s very beneficial from a practical standpoint.

Eric Lobo, Media Professional, Resident of Mumbai
Using PNG for 5 years

ET Spotlight

I had been using PNG for the last 5 years and it is very easy to use. I have a 3-year-old at home, and could never imagine him playing around gas cylinders. But I recently relocated and have had to rely on gas cylinders for the past two months. In this time, we have already run out of gas and survived on food deliveries for 2 days while we waited for the replacement. Having a mischievous toddler who keeps playing with stove knobs is one of the most terrifying things. Now I realize the comfort and safety PNG had given me. With its two-knob security, I am always sure that my kid is safe. I don’t have to deal with the constant fear that accompanies the use of gas cylinders. Also, the added convenience of never falling short of gas, or never having to double-check if the regulator is fitted properly or if it is actually turned off, makes PNG my most preferred option. My new place will be getting a PNG connection by the end of this month, and I cannot wait to return to this trusted source.

Siddharth Sridhar, Advertising Professional, Resident of Mumbai
Using PNG for 6+ years

ET Spotlight

I opted for a PNG connection as soon as it was introduced, and it has really been a boon for working professionals like me. Earlier, there have been times when I’ve had to leave from work early to collect gas cylinders, since it was impossible to find a suitable time to get the spare cylinders delivered home. Thanks to the sheer convenience of using PNG, cooking cylinders have become a thing of the past for me. The safety and comfort that PNG provides has made my life a lot easier.

R. Sakuntala, Retired Teacher, Resident of Mumbai
Using PNG for 2 years

ET Spotlight

I have used gas cylinders for decades but recently shifted to PNG. One big challenge that I no longer have to face is changing the cylinders. I dreaded lifting and transporting heavy gas cylinders. With a piped gas line, there is no heavy-lifting involved, and I don’t need to rely on anything or anyone for continuous and timely gas supply. In the past, there have been times when we had to borrow cylinders from neighbours or order in because we ran out of gas. Now I can easily enjoy cooking without worrying owing to the continuous gas supply. The bills are also easily payable online, making my life easier.

All these stories emphatically establish that PNG is a widely preferred form of cooking gas. Another big benefit of using PNG is that natural gas has a lower environmental footprint compared to conventional fuels. But the question that needs to be asked is: what will it take for a wider switch to this safe, secure and reliable form of fuel? India is ramping up investment in the city gas sector to massively expand the reach of CNG and PNG. And its need for natural gas seems to be quenchable with energy leaders like ExxonMobil looking for innovative ways to expand India’s natural gas access.

Earlier this year, ExxonMobil announced collaborations with India’s leading gas provider GAIL and local energy major Indian Oil. ExxonMobil, a leading innovator in the field of cleaner energy solutions, has been helping India expand access to gas-based energy for two decades. Rise in PNG consumption will be a major step, among others, towards increasing the share of natural gas in India’s energy market and lowering the country’s carbon emissions.

With energy players like ExxonMobil looking to boost this environment-friendly fuel, the rise of PNG is expected. And considering how satisfied people are with this source, it seems to be a win-win for all. As the user testimonies reveal, choosing PNG over gas cylinders not only increases convenience, reduces costs and strengthens safety, but also provides users with a pro-environment choice that needs to be made on a wider scale.

Exxon Mobil Corporation has numerous affiliates; for convenience and simplicity in this article, the term “ExxonMobil” is used as an abbreviated reference to one or more of these subsidiaries or affiliates.


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India has been striving to become a gas-based economy. While the current share of gas in India’s energy mix is 6%, the central government has set an ambitious target of increasing it to 15% by 2030. Since natural gas is also used in households as piped natural gas (PNG), increasing the user base for this cooking fuel is one of the ways to effectively move towards our natural gas targets. Similarly, the rising use of CNG-powered vehicles can also help drive India’s gas transition. (CNG, or compressed natural gas, is a low-emission fuel used to power automobiles.) In 2018-19 alone, 11.25 lakh connections for CNG and PNG were made in the two cities of Mumbai and Delhi.While the government’s targets and ambitions have motivated energy companies to supply natural gas to a wider base, what are the benefits that motivate people to opt for piped gas lines? We spoke to 5 people from different walks of life, who have one thing in common - they all use PNG. Here’s what they had to say about the switch from gas cylinders to piped gas lines:Using PNG for 3 yearsI have been living alone for the past 4 years. Cooking was once a chore because I had to keep a tab on the date of the cylinder refill, whether it has been connected properly, and other such things. However, I recently switched to piped gas line and it has made my life very easy. I can curb my midnight hunger pangs with some quick recipes without worrying about running out of gas. The convenience of piped gas lines is what makes it my preferred choice. The bills can easily be kept on auto-pay mode and the constant reminders on messages are also helpful.Using PNG for 4 yearsI have been using a piped gas line since we shifted to Gurugram 4 years ago. Having used gas cylinders for a long time, the shift to a piped gas line was comfortable. PNG is better on every front. It is very convenient to use, economical and, most importantly, it is not space-consuming. It is always good to have some extra storage space in the kitchen. In the past, there have been situations when guests had come in unannounced and we ran out of gas midway. The struggle to find a spare cylinder in such situations was real. However, with PNG, this hassle is a thing of the past. All things considered, I would always prefer using a piped gas line, for it’s very beneficial from a practical standpoint.Using PNG for 5 yearsI had been using PNG for the last 5 years and it is very easy to use. I have a 3-year-old at home, and could never imagine him playing around gas cylinders. But I recently relocated and have had to rely on gas cylinders for the past two months. In this time, we have already run out of gas and survived on food deliveries for 2 days while we waited for the replacement. Having a mischievous toddler who keeps playing with stove knobs is one of the most terrifying things. Now I realize the comfort and safety PNG had given me. With its two-knob security, I am always sure that my kid is safe. I don’t have to deal with the constant fear that accompanies the use of gas cylinders. Also, the added convenience of never falling short of gas, or never having to double-check if the regulator is fitted properly or if it is actually turned off, makes PNG my most preferred option. My new place will be getting a PNG connection by the end of this month, and I cannot wait to return to this trusted source.Using PNG for 6+ yearsI opted for a PNG connection as soon as it was introduced, and it has really been a boon for working professionals like me. Earlier, there have been times when I’ve had to leave from work early to collect gas cylinders, since it was impossible to find a suitable time to get the spare cylinders delivered home. Thanks to the sheer convenience of using PNG, cooking cylinders have become a thing of the past for me. The safety and comfort that PNG provides has made my life a lot easier.Using PNG for 2 yearsI have used gas cylinders for decades but recently shifted to PNG. One big challenge that I no longer have to face is changing the cylinders. I dreaded lifting and transporting heavy gas cylinders. With a piped gas line, there is no heavy-lifting involved, and I don’t need to rely on anything or anyone for continuous and timely gas supply. In the past, there have been times when we had to borrow cylinders from neighbours or order in because we ran out of gas. Now I can easily enjoy cooking without worrying owing to the continuous gas supply. The bills are also easily payable online, making my life easier.All these stories emphatically establish that PNG is a widely preferred form of cooking gas. Another big benefit of using PNG is that natural gas has a lower environmental footprint compared to conventional fuels. But the question that needs to be asked is: what will it take for a wider switch to this safe, secure and reliable form of fuel? India is ramping up investment in the city gas sector to massively expand the reach of CNG and PNG. And its need for natural gas seems to be quenchable with energy leaders like ExxonMobil looking for innovative ways to expand India’s natural gas access.Earlier this year, ExxonMobil announced collaborations with India’s leading gas provider GAIL and local energy major Indian Oil. ExxonMobil, a leading innovator in the field of cleaner energy solutions, has been helping India expand access to gas-based energy for two decades. Rise in PNG consumption will be a major step, among others, towards increasing the share of natural gas in India’s energy market and lowering the country’s carbon emissions.With energy players like ExxonMobil looking to boost this environment-friendly fuel, the rise of PNG is expected. And considering how satisfied people are with this source, it seems to be a win-win for all. As the user testimonies reveal, choosing PNG over gas cylinders not only increases convenience, reduces costs and strengthens safety, but also provides users with a pro-environment choice that needs to be made on a wider scale.