PATNA, June 3 -- Six city gas distribution (CGD) entities operating in Bihar have launched awareness campaigns and initiated efforts to create liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-free zones in selected colonies to accelerate adoption of piped natural gas (PNG) in the state. The move comes amid continued consumer reluctance to shift to PNG despite policy relaxations introduced by the Centre. The initiative comes after the union ministry of petroleum and natural gas constituted a dedicated task force to facilitate LPG-to-PNG conversion and promote PNG saturation across states and Union territories. Officials said Bihar had achieved only 31.74% of its domestic PNG connection target for March 2026. Against the target of 3,75,751 connections, only 1.19 lakh domestic PNG connections were live as of June 1, while over 32,000 applications remained pending. Data reviewed by chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Monday showed that 21 of the state's 38 districts had been gasified so far. PNG infrastructure has not yet been planned in Araria, Kishanganj, Arwal, Jehanabad, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Nawada, Supaul and Gopalganj. Kaimur, Buxar, Madhubani, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Siwan, East and West Champaran recorded zero progress against PNG infrastructure targets set in 2019 for completion by March 2026. Officials attributed the slow rollout to a shortage of trained manpower and hesitation among LPG users. The pace of domestic PNG expansion has risen sharply since the West Asia conflict. The state has now set a target of 12,000 connections monthly....