Guwahati: Amid concerns over the evolving LPG supply situation due to the conflict in West Asia, the Assam govt has announced plans to provide about 12,500 new piped natural gas (PNG) connections by June in areas where infrastructure is already available across seven districts.The food, public distribution and consumer affairs department on Wednesday issued a public notice announcing the rollout in about 64 locations across Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Golaghat and Sonitpur districts.The decision followed a review meeting chaired by chief secretary Ravi Kota with the managing directors and CEOs of Assam Gas Company Ltd, Purba Bharati Gas Pvt. Ltd and North East Gas Distribution Company Ltd, the agencies implementing PNG projects in the state.The chief secretary said consumers in notified localities can apply through the QR codes provided in the public notice or contact the agencies directly, including through the toll-free helpline, to obtain a connection.“The initiative aims to provide a safe, cost-effective, and uninterrupted alternative to LPG while enhancing energy security and ease of living,” he added.Under the plan, PBGPL will provide 6,000 connections in Guwahati, NEGDCL will provide 1,500 in Tezpur in Sonitpur district, and AGCL will provide 5,000 across Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Sivasagar and Golaghat districts.PBGPL CEO Ripunjay Phukan said, “The target has been set to provide the connections by June. Efforts are being put in. Consumers have to follow certain formalities including depositing security deposits for the connections.”PBGPL currently has 180 PNG connections in Guwahati’s Geetanagar area, inaugurated by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma more than a year ago. The company also has 2,500 connections in Silchar in the Barak Valley.