LPG Portability Coming Soon: Switch Between Indane, Bharat Gas, or HP Gas Anytime Without a New Connection

The government is preparing to launch LPG Portability, a long-awaited facility that will allow customers to switch their cooking gas provider without the hassle of applying for a new connection. Much like mobile number portability, this move will give consumers the freedom to change from Indane to Bharat Gas or HP Gas—or vice versa—based on convenience, service quality, or delivery speed.

Currently, India has over 32 crore LPG connections in use, and consumers raise nearly 1.7 million complaints every year, ranging from delays in cylinder delivery to poor customer service. The new portability system is expected to be a game-changer for millions of households, giving them more choice and control.

What is LPG Portability?

The concept of LPG Portability is simple: customers dissatisfied with their existing supplier will be able to switch to another provider seamlessly. Until now, changing from one LPG distributor to another involved lengthy paperwork, address verification, and often the surrendering of an existing cylinder or regulator.

With the introduction of this facility, consumers will no longer need to cancel their old connection or pay for a fresh one. Instead, they will be able to transfer their account digitally to another company of their choice. This will make the process faster, simpler, and more transparent.

Why the Move Matters

The LPG market in India has long been dominated by three major public sector oil companies—Indane (Indian Oil), Bharat Gas (Bharat Petroleum), and HP Gas (Hindustan Petroleum). While these companies have a wide reach, customers often face irregular deliveries, inadequate service, or unresponsive distributors.

By allowing portability, the government is creating healthy competition between providers. This competition is expected to lead to better service, timely delivery, and greater accountability. Much like the way mobile number portability transformed the telecom sector, LPG portability has the potential to improve efficiency across the cooking gas sector.

How Will LPG Portability Work?

Though the final framework is yet to be officially released, sources indicate that the process will be app-based and online-driven. Customers will likely have to log in to a central LPG portability portal or use their gas company’s app.

• Consumers will be able to view all nearby distributors of Indane, Bharat Gas, and HP Gas.

• They can select the new distributor they prefer and submit a portability request.

• The system will automatically transfer their consumer number to the new company without paperwork.

• The existing cylinder and regulator will remain valid, avoiding unnecessary costs.

This model is expected to roll out in a phased manner across cities and gradually expand to rural areas.

Benefits for Consumers

More Choice: Customers can pick a supplier based on delivery performance and customer service.

Time Savings: No need for fresh documentation or physical visits to LPG offices.

Cost Efficiency: No new deposit or connection fee while switching.

Better Service: Companies will compete to retain customers, leading to faster and more reliable delivery.

Empowerment: Households will finally have the freedom to demand accountability from their service providers.

The Road Ahead

With more than 320 million LPG connections in India, even a small improvement in service quality will affect millions of households. If implemented effectively, LPG portability will reduce consumer grievances significantly and make the system more customer-centric.

The government is expected to announce the official guidelines and rollout date soon. Once launched, the facility could revolutionize the way cooking gas services are delivered in India, putting the power of choice directly in the hands of consumers.

Final Take

The upcoming LPG Portability scheme is more than just a convenience—it is a structural reform that will improve transparency and accountability in the LPG sector. Much like the mobile portability system that empowered telecom customers, this initiative could transform India’s LPG market into a more competitive and consumer-friendly ecosystem.

For millions of households frustrated with delayed deliveries or unresponsive service, relief is finally on the horizon. Very soon, switching from Indane to Bharat Gas or HP Gas will be as simple as tapping a few buttons on your smartphone.