The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is delivering measurable change in Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, where beneficiaries report that free LPG connections have eliminated smoke-filled kitchens, eased breathing difficulties, and lifted the daily burden on rural women who once cooked over wood-fired chulhas. The scheme, a flagship Centre initiative, has now set a cumulative target of 10.6 crore LPG connections nationwide.

Beneficiaries Speak: Life Before and After

Damoh resident Kesarbai Kevat, a scheme beneficiary, described the shift as life-altering. 'We received an LPG gas cylinder and now cook our meals using it. Earlier, cooking over a traditional fire used to cause health problems for me. I used to be ill all the time, but now it’s changed. I thank the Prime Minister for this initiative. I also benefit a lot from the Ladli Behna Yojana,' she said.

Another beneficiary, Anita, echoed the sentiment. 'Earlier, we used to cook on a traditional wood-fired stove. Now, we cook on an LPG gas stove. Earlier, we had to deal with smoke, but now things are much better. All the credit goes to PM Modi and the Central government,' she said.

Bharti Ahirwal, a third beneficiary from the district, added: 'The LPG cylinders are really helpful to us. Earlier, I used to face problems while cooking on a traditional stove, but now it’s better. I don’t face any problem now. I thank the government for this.'

Scheme Background and Scale

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana on 1 May 2016 in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, targeting rural and economically deprived households dependent on firewood, coal, and cow-dung cakes for cooking. The widespread use of such fuels had long been linked to eye irritation, respiratory ailments, and broader environmental pollution — burdens borne disproportionately by women.

The scheme’s initial target of 8 crore LPG connections by March 2020 was achieved ahead of schedule, in September 2019, when Modi handed over the eight-crore connection in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Ujjwala 2.0 and Expanding Coverage

The government subsequently approved 1.6 crore additional connections under Ujjwala 2.0, which introduced special provisions for migrant households. That target was met by December 2022, taking the cumulative total to 9.6 crore connections.

A further 75 lakh connections were sanctioned under Ujjwala 2.0 for the three financial years from 2023-24 to 2025-26, a target achieved in July 2024, pushing the total to 10.35 crore. The Centre has since approved an additional 25 lakh connections, raising the overall target to 10.6 crore, with distribution currently underway across the country.

Health and Environmental Impact

Health experts have long flagged indoor air pollution from biomass burning as a leading cause of chronic respiratory disease among rural women in India. By replacing traditional chulhas with LPG stoves, the scheme directly addresses what the World Health Organization (WHO) has described as one of the most significant environmental health risks in low-income households. The on-ground accounts from Damoh illustrate how policy outcomes are being felt at the household level, even if independent, large-scale health impact assessments remain limited in public domain.

What Comes Next

With the distribution of the latest 25 lakh connections ongoing, the focus will shift to ensuring sustained cylinder refills — a challenge that has historically affected scheme retention rates in poorer households. Affordability of refills and last-mile delivery infrastructure will determine whether the gains witnessed in Damoh translate into a durable national outcome.