As global energy supplies continue to be under pressure due to the Middle East conflict, the government is pushing for rapid expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) connections across the country. But there is a big obstacle in this plan. The shortage of certified gas plumbers has slowed the rollout, with city gas distribution (CGD) companies currently adding only 8,000-10,000 household connections per day, far short of the government’s target of 100,000 daily connections.The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has set a target to provide 125 million household PNG connections by 2030. However, industry officials say the lack of trained manpower for last-mile installations has emerged as a major hurdle in the rollout.In cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, more than 6 million households already have PNG pipelines laid to their doorsteps, but they are still dependent on LPG cylinders as the installation work inside homes is incomplete.The shortage is particularly affecting the final step of the connection process, which requires certified gas plumbers trained in gas-pressurization systems, leak testing and safety protocols. Industry players say this work cannot be treated as standard plumbing.So far, India has distributed around 16 million PNG connections against the proportionate target of 40 million, raising concerns over the pace of expansion required to meet the 2030 target.Contractors working with CGD companies generally give plumbers a target of three domestic connections per day. Industry estimates suggest that closing the current gap will require thousands of certified plumbers working tirelessly over many years.To address the shortage, CGD companies have reportedly started hiring water plumbers and training them through short-term crash courses lasting three to four weeks. However, industry insiders described this arrangement as temporary and inadequate for long-term expansion.India’s formal plumbing training system operates through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), where trainees undergo a one-year National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) course covering pipe systems, pressure testing and safety procedures. There are currently 14,312 ITIs in the country, including 2,204 government-run institutions and 12,108 private institutions.Despite a large network of training institutes, plumbing continues to attract fewer candidates than trades such as electrician, fitter and diesel mechanic, limiting the number of certified workers entering the field.According to the Indian Plumbing Skills Council (IPSC), there are an estimated 800,000 plumbers in India, but about 80% of them are unable to find work. The organization also estimates that more than 90% of plumbers in the country lack formal training and are completely dependent on on-the-job experience. Including informal workers, India’s total plumbing workforce is estimated at 4.2 million. However, gas pipelines require different qualification and certification standards.Industry officials also cited low wages as a challenge in attracting workers to the sector. The average plumber in India earns around Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000 per month, while gas plumbers working for CGD contractors are usually paid on a piece-rate basis for each completed connection.The rollout of PNG connections also remains uneven across states. More than half of the existing connections are in Maharashtra and Gujarat, while many other regions continue to report low penetration levels.Rajasthan has directed CGD companies to connect 1,43,000 houses within 45 days and mobilize 5,000 trained plumbers through ITI. However, industry officials said such measures would take time to yield results.Industry officials also said consumer hesitancy has affected PNG adoption in some areas, with households expressing concerns that future price increases could reduce the cost advantage over subsidized LPG.