The move comes just months after the government had lifted an earlier ban on new connections.

However, sources say the reinstated restriction is linked to the high cost of supplying gas through imported Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG).

Officials noted that new connections provided under RLNG were significantly more expensive, with consumer bills reported to be up to four times higher compared to conventional gas supply.

Before the RLNG-based system, the demand notice fee for a domestic gas connection stood at around Rs6,500.

This was later increased to approximately Rs23,500 under RLNG, with priority applications requiring an additional urgent fee of Rs25,000.

In some cases, consumers were required to pay up to Rs50,000 to secure a new RLNG-based connection, raising concerns over affordability.

Sources added that prior to the latest decision, new connections were being issued on a priority basis against pending applications. The renewed ban is expected to further delay access for thousands of applicants.