PATNA, May 24 -- Bihar has achieved only 31.2% of its piped natural gas (PNG) connection target set for completion by March by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) even as the Centre plans to notify liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-free zones amid concerns over supply disruptions and rising import costs due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, officials said on Sunday. In the latest move, the union ministry of petroleum and natural gas has asked oil marketing companies (OMCs) to submit reports on PNG connections.

Officials said the ministry held a review meeting with heads of OMCs and chief secretaries of states and Union territories on Friday to assess the status of PNG rollout as part of the Centre's push to reduce depende...