Chandigarh's domestic LPG consumption per household is now significantly higher than the national average, according to data recently shared by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in Parliament. The city's domestic LPG connections have also crossed the three lakh mark, reflecting steady growth in household adoption.
Chandigarh LPG connections grow steadily over four years
The number of domestic LPG consumers in Chandigarh has been rising consistently. As of April 1, 2022, the city had 2,86,442 domestic LPG connections. By April 1, 2026, that number increased to 3,08,020 — an addition of 21,578 consumers over four years, or a growth of nearly 7.5 per cent.
According to data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, this steady rise indicates continued household reliance on LPG as a primary cooking fuel in the city.
PMUY consumption in Chandigarh exceeds national average
The data also highlights a clear gap between Chandigarh and the rest of the country when it comes to LPG usage under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). During 2025-26, PMUY beneficiaries in Chandigarh consumed an average of 7.2 LPG cylinders. In comparison, the national average for PMUY beneficiaries stood at just 4.8 cylinders.
This means households in Chandigarh that are part of the Ujjwala scheme are using nearly 50 per cent more cylinders than the typical PMUY household elsewhere in India. The higher consumption pattern suggests greater usage frequency or larger household needs in the city.
"During 2025-26, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in Chandigarh consumed an average of 7.2 LPG cylinders, compared to the national average of 4.8 cylinders." — Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas data
What this means for LPG demand in Chandigarh
The higher-than-average consumption per household, combined with the growing number of connections, points to sustained and even increasing LPG demand in Chandigarh. For policymakers and distributors, this data is useful for planning supply chains and ensuring adequate cylinder availability in the city.
According to The Times of India, Chandigarh and Delhi are among the biggest consumers of domestic LPG in the country, which aligns with the higher per-household usage figures reported in the parliamentary data.
Our Take: Higher consumption reflects urban lifestyle and access
To put it plainly, the numbers tell a clear story. Chandigarh's LPG consumption is not just higher than the national average — it is substantially higher, especially among PMUY beneficiaries. This is not a negative finding. It suggests that households in the city have better access to LPG refills, more consistent supply, and possibly smaller families that use cylinders more efficiently.
However, it also raises a question: why is the national average so much lower? If Chandigarh's PMUY households can use 7.2 cylinders a year, households in other states should ideally be able to do the same. The gap may point to supply chain issues, affordability, or awareness problems in other regions. In our view, the focus should not just be on celebrating Chandigarh's numbers, but on understanding what is holding back the rest of the country from similar consumption levels.
