Concerns over fuel prices, including LPG, have been high since the US-Israeli war with Iran continues to disrupt energy markets.
While both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders have seen at least one increase each since March, media reports suggest a fresh revision of LPG prices from May 1. These changes are likely to be accompanied by adjustments to the booking and delivery systems.
While the government is introducing tighter controls on the use and distribution of cooking gas, reports suggest that new rules for LPG cylinders are being discussed.
Despite a sharp rise in international oil prices, retail petrol and diesel rates in India have remained unchanged as state-run oil companies absorb the impact.
As global oil markets remain volatile and oil companies usually announce price revisions at the beginning of the month, a hike in LPG prices may be announced on May 1.
Read also | India halts new LPG connections amid war in West Asia
LPG rate changes to date
Since the start of the US-Iran war on February 28, domestic LPG prices have been revised once, but the cost of commercial cooking gas has increased twice.
The price of a 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder was raised by ₹60 in March. No rate adjustments have been made since then. The price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder was first increased by ₹144 in March, followed by another hike of almost ₹200 on 1st April.
Check LPG cylinder prices today
CityDomestic LPG (14.2 kg) Commercial LPG (19 kg) New Delhi ₹913.00 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,078.50 ( +194.00 )Kolkata ₹939.00 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,208.50 ( +220.00 ) Mumbai ₹912.50 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,031.00 ( +195.00 )Chennai ₹928.50 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,246.50 ( +203.00 )Gurugram ₹921.50 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,096.50 ( +195.00 )Noida ₹910.50 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,078.50 ( +194.00 )Bengaluru ₹915.50 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,161.00 ( +203.00 ) Bhubaneswar ₹939.00 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,245.00 ( +216.00 )Chandigarh ₹922.50 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,099.50 (+195.00) Hyderabad ₹965.00 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,320.50 (+215.00) Jaipur ₹916.50 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,106.00 ( +193.00 ) Lucknow ₹950.50 (0.00) ₹2,201.00 ( +194.00 )Patna ₹1,002.50 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,353.50 ( +220.00 )Thiruvananthapuram ₹922.00 ( 0.00 ) ₹2,112.00 ( +200.00 )Read also | India will continue to buy Russian oil and LPG after the US exemption ends
Change in LPG reservation rules from May 1?
According to media reports, the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are likely to change the period for booking LPG cylinders from the current 25-day interval.
The OTP based delivery system is now expected to become a permanent norm. The scheme is aimed at stopping misuse and abuse of subsidized bottles, officials said.
Online bookings now account for nearly 98% of total requests, with about 94% of deliveries verified using verification codes.
LPG booking rules are expected to be further tightened in May to check leakages and supply bottlenecks.
Read also | West Asia crisis: Steps taken to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply, says govt
“Avoid panic buying”
Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said India has adequate supplies of petrol, diesel and cooking gas despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
“PSU retail outlets are operating as normal,” she said. “Citizens are advised to avoid panic buying of petrol, diesel and LPG as the government is making every effort to ensure availability of petrol, diesel and LPG.
Refineries operate at high capacity with sufficient oil reserves and ensure stable supplies of gasoline and diesel.
To protect consumers from rising global oil prices linked to the Middle East crisis, the government has cut excise duty on petrol and diesel ₹10 per liter while increasing export duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel.
Retail fuel prices remain unchanged at public sector outlets, the government said, adding that despite isolated cases of panic buying fueled by rumours, sufficient stocks are available.
