Choosing between LPG, piped natural gas and induction cooking depends on your building’s gas connection, your electricity tariff, your appliances and how you cook. There is no single cheapest option for every Navi Mumbai household.
Use this guide to check current charges, compare running costs and identify the installation requirements before switching. A cylinder price, a PNG rate per standard cubic metre and an electricity rate per unit are different measures, so comparing their headline numbers does not establish which option costs less.
LPG, PNG and Induction: What Each Option Actually Involves
LPG cylinders work anywhere with a gas connection and a valid booking, and remain the fallback if a building has no piped gas. Refills need to be booked and collected or delivered, and the price changes periodically.
PNG removes the need to arrange cylinder refills, but its cost advantage depends on consumption, applicable charges and the cost of switching. Compare bills for similar cooking needs before assuming a saving. PNG avoids cylinder replacement and refill booking, but supply interruptions can still occur. Check the supplier’s emergency and service interruption information.
A portable induction cooktop can suit rented accommodation, provided the electrical supply and cookware meet the appliance’s requirements. Check with the landlord before any wiring or socket alterations. Induction depends on a reliable electricity supply and compatible cookware, and its running cost is part of your electricity bill rather than a separate line item.
Checking Current Prices
For LPG, IndianOil’s official pricing page listed the non-subsidised 14.2 kg domestic cylinder for Mumbai at Rs 941.50, in a table labelled last updated 7 June 2026. Its separate 19 kg commercial cylinder table carries a different date and should not be read as an update to the domestic figure. Cylinder prices change periodically, so confirm your own refill amount through your LPG supplier’s official booking channel rather than relying on any published figure, including this one, once time has passed.
For PNG, do not treat any single rate per SCM quoted online as current. Check MGL’s own domestic rate card and your own bill, and confirm four things before comparing costs: the area the rate applies to, its effective date, whether taxes are included, and any additional recurring charges such as a minimum monthly charge. Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) serves Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) is a different company serving Pune and other areas, and its rates do not apply here.
PNG Connection Requirements and LPG Implications
If your building does not yet have a PNG connection, ask MGL whether your exact building and flat are serviceable. Where a new building connection is needed, confirm the application route, required permissions, installation scope and expected next steps directly with the supplier. Distinguish an expression of interest, an accepted application and an activated connection: none of these guarantees the next one on a fixed timeline.
Before signing up, get a written quotation and confirm each of the following rather than relying on a single estimated total.
| Charge or condition | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Security deposit | Amount and refund conditions |
| Registration or application | Whether payable and refundable |
| Standard installation | What the quoted charge includes |
| Additional pipework | Measurement and charging basis |
| Appliance work | Compatibility assessment and approved work |
| Taxes | Included or additional |
| Recurring charges | Charges beyond measured consumption |
| Cancellation or transfer | Applicable conditions |
Before activating PNG, ask your LPG distributor how the current LPG connection rules apply to you. The Ministry’s May 2026 announcement describes termination and transfer voucher options for consumers obtaining PNG. Do not assume you can continue ordinary LPG refills as a permanent PNG backup. This applies specifically to households that activate a PNG connection. It does not apply to a household that simply buys an induction cooktop while keeping an existing LPG connection unchanged.
Induction Suitability and Electricity Cost
Compare the initial cost of switching to induction properly: the cooktop’s price, any compatible cookware you need to buy, and any electrical work required, not the cooktop price alone. For the running cost, use your own measured electricity consumption rather than a generic per meal figure, and do not equate a cooktop’s maximum rated wattage with its continuous consumption throughout cooking.
Estimate the electricity bill with the additional cooking units and subtract the bill without them, using the same tariff period. Do not assume that crossing a slab makes every unit on the bill chargeable at the highest rate. Use your own electricity supplier and tariff category to do this; do not assume MSEDCL applies to every Navi Mumbai address.
Before relying on induction as a primary stove, check the following.
- Appliance voltage, plug, socket and circuit requirements in the manufacturer’s manual.
- Compatible pan material, base size and shape. Manufacturer instructions, for example, may specifically list induction compatible tawas and pressure cookers rather than treating all stainless steel utensils or all pressure cookers as compatible.
- Counter space and ventilation clearances.
- Whether your usual cooking tasks work on that model.
- Electrical supply reliability.
- Any proposed backup system’s capacity to run the appliance.
Comparing and Working Out Your Own Numbers
| Option | Initial checks | Running cost evidence | Main practical limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPG | Connection status and suitable appliance | Actual refill invoices and consumption period | Refill arrangements and cylinder handling |
| PNG | Building serviceability, quotation and appliance compatibility | Metered consumption and complete bill | Availability and connection requirements |
| Induction | Electrical suitability and compatible cookware | Cooking electricity use and additional bill | Electricity dependence and cooking compatibility |
Use the worksheet below to record your own household’s figures rather than relying on anyone else’s averages. LPG, PNG and electricity are measured in different units, so keep each option’s consumption and cost separate before comparing totals. Keep a refundable deposit visible as upfront cash you need to have on hand, but list it separately from money you will not get back.
| Input | LPG | PNG | Induction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price source and date | |||
| Consumption over the comparison period | |||
| Running cost for comparable cooking | |||
| Additional recurring charges | |||
| Non-refundable setup cost | |||
| Refundable deposit | |||
| Appliance or cookware cost | |||
| Installation or electrical work | |||
| Practical constraints |
Once you have filled this in for your existing option and the one you are considering, work out a simple estimate.
Estimated monthly saving = existing monthly cooking cost minus estimated replacement monthly cooking cost.
And, only where the saving is positive:
Simple payback in months = additional non-refundable switching cost divided by estimated monthly saving.
Treat both as estimates that depend on comparable cooking and your own tariff assumptions. If the saving works out at zero or negative, there is no payback period to calculate, and switching should be judged on convenience rather than cost.
A Note on Rooftop Solar
Rooftop solar is a separate electricity project. Its relevance to induction cooking depends on roof rights, approvals, system design and the electricity account receiving the benefit. Assess it through the dedicated solar guide rather than treating it as an immediate substitute for a gas connection. See our Navi Mumbai solar guide for cost, subsidy and payback details.
Safety
LPG and PNG both require suitable appliances, correct installation and maintenance. Follow the supplier’s safety instructions and use authorised service personnel. Do not attempt gas appliance conversion yourself. For a gas leak or other LPG emergency, IndianOil’s 24×7 LPG emergency helpline is 1906. This is an LPG helpline, not an MGL PNG helpline; for a PNG issue, contact MGL directly through its own emergency and customer service channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PNG always cheaper than LPG in Navi Mumbai?
No single option is cheapest for every household. Compare current charges and consumption for similar cooking needs, including any recurring charges and switching costs.
Where should I check the current LPG cylinder price?
Check your LPG supplier’s official booking channel for the refill amount applicable to your connection. Confirm the cylinder size and location before comparing it with a published price table.
How much does a new MGL PNG connection cost?
Obtain a current quotation for your building and flat. Separate refundable deposits, non-refundable charges, additional installation work, taxes and appliance related costs.
Can I keep using LPG after obtaining PNG?
Do not assume ordinary LPG refills can continue as a PNG backup. Check the current connection rules with your LPG distributor, including the termination and transfer voucher options described in the Ministry’s May 2026 announcement.
Can induction replace gas in a rented flat?
It may suit your cooking needs if the electrical supply and cookware meet the appliance’s requirements. Check tenancy conditions and obtain permission before any electrical alterations.
How do I estimate induction cooking costs?
Estimate or measure the cooking electricity used, then calculate the additional bill under your applicable tariff. Include cookware and any electrical work separately as initial costs.
What if my building does not have PNG?
Ask MGL about serviceability and the application requirements for your exact building. Do not assume that submitting a request guarantees a connection date.
Does rooftop solar directly replace LPG?
No. Rooftop solar generates electricity. Whether it helps with electric cooking costs depends on the installation, approvals, billing arrangement and which electricity account receives the benefit.
