India relies on imports for 60 percent of its LPG demand, most of which comes from the Gulf countries, which have been hit hardest by the Iran war.
Disruption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies due to India’s largest supplier’s facilities in war-torn Qatar has led to a preference for the fuel for domestic users and CNG.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz forced India to turn around.
While the war in West Asia disrupted oil, LNG and LPG supply chains, India, with its diversified sourcing, was able to secure sufficient supplies of crude oil (raw materials used to make fuels such as petrol and diesel) from West Africa, Latin America and the US.
However, the government prioritizes supply to domestic kitchens and cuts usage by commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants by at least half.
“Through its policy measures, the central government has managed to keep the impact of the shortage very limited,” the BJP said in a statement.
Read also | OMCs assure Indians of ‘adequate’ fuel stocks amid panic buying
Change in LPG prices:
The government has hiked the cost of both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders amid supply disruptions. The price of a 14.2 kg gas cylinder for home cooking has increased ₹60, while the price of 19 kg commercial cylinder increased by ₹144 in early March in major cities.
No revisions have been made since then.
CityPrices of Domestic LPG CylindersPrices of Commercial LPG CylindersNew Delhi ₹913 ₹1,884.50 Bombay ₹912.50 ₹1 836 Calcutta ₹939 ₹1,988.50 chennai ₹928.50 ₹2,043.50 Hyderabad ₹965 ₹2,105.50 Lucknow ₹950.50 ₹2007 Bengaluru ₹915.50 ₹1 958 Patna ₹1,002.50 ₹2,133.50Read also | Households close to PNG networks must switch from LPG within 3 months
LPG supply will be interrupted if…: Government order
The Center said on Tuesday that domestic supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will be interrupted if consumers do not switch to piped gas (PNG) despite its availability.
The order, issued on March 24, also set a deadline for consumers to obtain a PNG connection in areas where it is possible.
The move aims to free up LPG supplies from areas with pipeline connectivity and redirect them to regions lacking such infrastructure, while promoting “fuel diversification” amid global supply cuts.
The center does not recommend “panic booking”
The Center assured citizens that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG in the country and urged them not to believe rumors circulating on social media and not resort to panic buying.
“Reports doing the rounds in news sections and social media about changes in norms for booking LPG refills are incorrect,” the petroleum and natural gas ministry said.
He said that there is no change in the norms for booking LPG refills.
- The minimum gap between two top-up bookings remains:
– 25 days in urban areas
– 45 days in rural areas
- These timelines continue under existing guidelines.
“Please avoid panic booking. There is enough LPG to meet the demand.”
Read also | LPG refill booking timeline: The Center does not recommend “panic booking”
“There is no shortage of LPG cylinders in Delhi”.
Delhi Food and Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told the assembly that there is no shortage of LPG cylinders in the national capital.
“I would like to inform the citizens and the whole house that no rumors about LPG distribution in Delhi should be supported. With the festive season approaching, I want to assure the whole house that there will be no shortage anywhere even for a single day or a single hour,” he said.
The ministry is working with full vigilance to curb black marketing and ensure smooth supply, the minister said.
