New Delhi, Aug. 2 -- India's demand for piped natural gas (PNG) continued to strengthen in July as more commercial and industrial consumers shifted away from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), contributing to a sharp decline in LPG sales. At the same time, petrol and diesel consumption at the country's three state-owned fuel retailers recorded strong year-on-year growth, driven by delayed monsoon rains that boosted irrigation demand and sustained road transport activity.

Combined petrol sales by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) rose 9.7 per cent to 3.45 million tonnes in July, compared with 3.14 million tonnes in the same month last year.

The July petrol vol...