Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Highlights India’s Energy Progress in 2024
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that the number of piped gas connections in India has surged to 1.32 crores in 2024 from 25 lakhs in 2014. He stated, “Over the past decade, major reforms have reshaped our energy sector, enhancing the availability, affordability, and sustainability of energy.”
In a social media post on ‘X’, the minister shared five paths to energy independence for citizens. He noted that India’s refining capacity has increased to 256.8 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) from 215 million in 2014. Ethanol blending in petrol has risen to 15% in 2024, compared to 1.53% in 2014.
Highlighting the rise in LPG connections, the minister stated that in 2014 there were only 14.52 crore LPG users. But now, “as of August 1, 2024, there are over 32.73 crore active LPG connections, including 10.33 crore PMUY connections,” the minister said on Thursday in a social media post on ‘X’.
He added, “The natural gas pipeline network expanded from 15,000 km in 2014 to 24,881 km in 2024.”
“Transforming lives by expanding Ujjwala connections to ensure smoke-free kitchens, boosting refining capacities to develop a new India, and supporting green initiatives like ethanol blending to foster sustainability and affordability. Together, these efforts are powering a brighter, cleaner future that prioritizes both people and the planet, making us energy independent,” the minister added.
On the fuel prices, the minister stated that India has been able to insulate itself from the rising fuel prices by taking several steps which include a reduction in the exercise duty by the central government. “Between January 2022 and July 2024, India successfully maintained steady fuel prices, even as many advanced nations experienced skyrocketing rise,” said Puri.
Earlier, on August 14, Minister Puri said that the capacity of Petronet LNG’s Dahej terminal is being increased to 22.5 MMTPA from 17.5 MMTPA as India continues on a journey towards energy self-sufficiency. The Dahej LNG terminal in Gujarat is India’s largest single-location LNG storage and regasification facility.
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a person who is in charge of a specific department in the government of India. They help make important decisions for the country.
Hardeep Singh Puri -: Hardeep Singh Puri is a politician in India who works for the government. He is responsible for looking after certain important areas like energy and housing.
piped gas connections -: Piped gas connections are systems that deliver gas directly to homes through pipes. This gas is used for cooking and heating.
crores -: A crore is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to ten million (10,000,000).
lakhs -: A lakh is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to one hundred thousand (100,000).
refining capacity -: Refining capacity refers to the amount of crude oil that can be processed into usable products like petrol and diesel in a year.
million metric tonnes per annum -: Million metric tonnes per annum is a way to measure large quantities of materials, like oil, processed in a year. One metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms.
ethanol blending -: Ethanol blending is the process of mixing ethanol, a type of alcohol made from plants, with petrol to make it cleaner and better for the environment.
LPG connections -: LPG connections refer to the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, which is used for cooking in many homes.
natural gas pipeline network -: A natural gas pipeline network is a system of pipes that transport natural gas from one place to another, often over long distances.
Dahej LNG terminal -: The Dahej LNG terminal is a facility in India where Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is received, stored, and converted back into gas for use.
