India LPG Cylinder Shortage News Live Updates: Highlights

Kerosene is set to return for household use in several states and Union Territories, with supplies to be distributed mainly through ration shops and, in some cases, via retail outlets run by public sector oil marketing companies for cooking and lighting. The Centre on Thursday allocated an additional 48,000 kilolitres (kl) of kerosene to states, on top of the regular monthly quota of 1 lakh kl, to support its use as a cooking fuel.

Most states had largely phased out kerosene over the past decade, meaning many households may need to bring back old kerosene stoves or purchase new ones to use the fuel again.

Some people trying to create panic on LPG; without making a political point, I'll say they are exposing themselves: PM Modi

People queued up at petrol stations and domestic LPG outlets amid panic buying across the country over a perceived paucity of fuel, even as the government told Parliament on Thursday that there was no shortage of petrol, diesel and kerosene due to the West Asia crisis and it was not the time for rumour-mongering.

The Uttarakhand government decided to provide commercial gas cylinders to hospitals and educational institutions on priority and began preparations to provide wood for commercial use if needed.

Eateries and quick-service restaurant chains, which rely heavily on commercial LPG cylinders to run kitchen operations, fear that restrictions on fuel supply to them could disrupt operations and drive input cost inflation.

Several eateries across the country have been forced to trim their operations.

The Tamil Nadu Hotels Association said small and medium-sized restaurants in the southern state were badly hit, with many iconic establishments in Chennai forced to stop serving fuel-intensive dishes such as dosas and fried rice to conserve their dwindling gas stocks

The Haryana Congress on Thursday staged a protest in Ambala against the recent rise in LPG prices and said the Centre was putting the burden of inflation on common people in the name of global crisis.

Led by Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee president Rao Narendra Singh, the protest saw participation from several party leaders, including MLAs who raised slogans such as "Remove inflation" and "Make LPG cheaper".

Singh said the protest was organised against the recent increase of around Rs 60 in domestic LPG cylinder prices and Rs 115 in commercial cylinders. He added that the protest was part of a nationwide agitation by the Congress against rising LPG prices.

He alleged that the BJP-led central government was putting the burden of inflation on the common people in the name of global crises and conflicts, while failing to ensure adequate liquified petroleum gas (LPG) supply.

"Before coming to power, the BJP had promised gas cylinders at Rs 500, but now the prices are skyrocketing. The budgets of ordinary families are being disturbed, and dhabas and hotels are on the verge of shutting down," he said.

States have been allocated 40,000 kilolitres of additional kerosene as an alternative to LPG, an official from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said.

LPG production has been increased by 28 per cent through refinery directives in the last five days, and further procurement is actively underway, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said in the Parliament on Thursday.

Stressing that the government’s foremost priority is that the kitchens of India’s more than 33 crore families, especially the poor and the underprivileged, do not face any shortage, Puri said domestic supply is fully protected, and the delivery cycle is unchanged.

"The standard time from booking to delivery for domestic LPG cylinders remains 2.5 days, unchanged from pre-crisis norms. Hospitals and educational institutions have been placed on uninterrupted priority supply; their access to LPG is fully assured regardless of broader demand conditions," the minister told the House.

He further stated that field reports indicate hoarding and panic-booking at the distributor and retail level, driven by consumer anxiety rather than any actual supply shortage.

"The house should be clear on this: the rush-booking pressure in some localities reflects a demand distortion, not a production or supply failure. Delivery Authentication Code coverage is being expanded from 50 per cent to 90 per cent of consumers; under this system, a cylinder can only be logged as delivered when the consumer confirms receipt through a one-time code on their registered mobile, making undocumented diversion effectively impossible to conceal," Puri said

Sujata Sharma, joint secretary, ministry of petroleum & natural gas, said, "LPG supply in the domestic market depends upon the management of both demand and supply. The government is taking action on all fronts. As far as the supply is concerned, we are putting in efforts and we are trying to increase the domestic production of our LPG. At the same time, wherever imports are possible, that is also actively happening. The booking period has increased from 21 to 25 days for urban households. The second important thing is the prioritisation of the households. So, it is ensured that there is no shortage of supply for the domestic households."

"A detailed discussion has happened with the chief secretary of the Delhi government, and it has been decided that the oil marketing companies will be releasing some commercial cylinders, 19 kg cylinders also. But then the role of state government or the union territory is very important, to ensure that the distribution happens in a transparent manner, in a prioritised manner," she added.

Sujata Sharma, joint secretary, ministry of petroleum & natural gas, said, "We import almost 60 % of our LPG and most of it, almost 90 % comes from the Strait of Hormuz. It's a difficult situation, but the government is making every effort to ensure that the supply to the domestic consumers is ensured.

"We deliver almost 50 lakh cylinders on a daily basis. On the distribution side, no dry out has been reported. But there is a manifold increase in bookings because of the panic. We urge the citizens to avoid panic booking...State governments have been requested to identify the list of beneficiaries so that the delivery of the cylinder, commercial cylinder, can be made on a priority basis," she added.

Delhi-NCR's renowned wedding feasts, characterised by giant cauldrons of biryani and endless live cooking stations, depend heavily on a consistent supply of LPG cylinders. However, supply disruptions have raised concerns among wedding planners and caterers.

Planners and caterers warn that ongoing supply disruptions and rising prices of commercial LPG cylinders might lead to an increase in wedding catering costs by approximately 10 to 20 per cent if the situation persists.

This warning comes as restaurants and commercial kitchens in various parts of the city report irregular LPG supplies, prompting vendors who organise large wedding events to monitor the situation closely ahead of upcoming ceremonies.

Mohsin Khan, a planner with Vivah Luxury Weddings, stated that large wedding events heavily rely on commercial LPG cylinders, and the current supply situation is already causing anxiety among vendors.

In several cases, they are exceeding 100%. There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation, turbine fuel, kerosene and fuel oil is fully assured," said oil minister.

"Non Hormuz sourcing has risen to approximately 70 % of crude imports, up from 55 % before the conflict began. India's sources grew from 40 countries as against 27 in 2006 and 2007. This structural diversification built through sustained policy over successive years has given us options that other nations find themselves without. The refineries are operating at high capacity utilisation. In several cases, they are exceeding 100%. There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation, turbine fuel, kerosene and fuel oil is fully assured. Retail outlets across the country are stocked and supply chains for these products are functioning normally," he added.

"In the last five days, LPG production has been increased by 28 % through refinery directives and further procurement is actually underway. The Modi government's foremost priority is that the kitchen of India's 33 crore families, especially the poor and the underprivileged, do not face any shortage. Domestic supply is fully protected and the delivery cycle is unchanged," he said further.

"India is navigating the most severe global energy disruption in recorded history. Fruit supply is flowing, gas is prioritised for homes and farms, LPG production has been stepped up by 28%. India must stand united behind the energy warriors, behind the institution managing the crisis, and behind the national interests," he added.

The Chief Secretary of Delhi, Rajeev Verma, chaired a high-level meeting on Saturday and confirmed that the petrol, diesel and domestic LPG supply in Delhi remains normal.


According to the Chief Minister's Office, the meeting was called to review the rumours regarding the disruption in the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply and asserted that adequate stock is available in the national capital.

Meanwhile, earlier today, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the government has absorbed a significant part of the cost increase to the increase to protect the consumers.

"Currently, LPG is being directed to the domestic sector. For non-domestic LPG, priority is being given to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions. The committee is consulting with state authorities and industry bodies to finalise the plan to ensure that available LPG is distributed fairly and transparently," she said, addressing an Inter-Ministerial press briefing.

Sharma added that two LNG cargos are on their way to India.

The developments come after the Centre had recently announced a price hike of Rs 60 for cooking LPG cylinders, amid the West Asia conflict.

Amid the rising tensions in West Asia and rumours of an LPG cylinder shortage in parts of India, political reactions have intensified.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and daughter of RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rohini Acharya, on Thursday, sharply criticised the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue.

Reports of a possible shortage have led to long queues outside LPG gas agencies, with many consumers rushing to book or collect cylinders.

The Opposition has also announced protests over the issue.

Taking to his official X account, Rohini Acharya mocked the Union government and questioned when the celebration of the gas shortage would begin.

In her X post, she sarcastically referred to what she called the "Pradhan Mantri Line Lagao Yojana", alleging that people were previously forced to stand in queues during events like currency exchange and oxygen shortages and are now standing in line for LPG cylinders.

Domestic LPG production has increased by about 25 percent and the entire domestic LPG production is being directed towards household consumers, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas said on Wednesday.

Government said for non-domestic LPG, priority is being given to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.

The remarks were made at an inter-ministerial briefing was held on the recent developments in West Asia was organised at the National Media Centre today.

Senior officers from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

For non-domestic LPG, priority is being given to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions, ministry official said.

The current price of a domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi is Rs 913 after a recent Rs 60 increase. For PMUY beneficiaries the price remains Rs 613 per cylinder.

The Government has approved Rs 30,000 crore compensation for oil marketing companies for LPG under-recoveries, officials said.

(Reported by news agency PTI)

Retailers in the national capital are reporting a sharp increase in the sale of induction cooktops and other electric cooking appliances, as households and eateries look for alternatives amid concerns over LPG availability.

Shopkeepers noted that demand has surged over the past two days, with customers increasingly opting for electric cooktops, infrared stoves, and compatible cookware as a backup.

Amit Gupta, owner of Effects Kitchens and Hardware in Connaught Place, said his store has experienced a sudden rush of customers and enquiries, both in person and online.

"Since yesterday, we have recorded more than 200 walk-in customers, while another 250 to 300 existing and new clients reached out through phone calls. Earlier, electric cooktops were largely purchased by hospitality outlets, but now even households are coming in a panic, fearing stoppage of LPG supply," he said.

(News agency PTI reported)

Senior Delhi Police officials have instructed their officers to compile a list of gas agencies in their areas and deploy personnel to ensure law and order amid the ongoing LPG supply issues in the city. The measure aims to guarantee smooth cylinder distribution and prevent black marketing, police said on Thursday.

A senior police officer said Station House Officers (SHOs) have been asked to maintain a visible police presence near gas agencies in their jurisdictions.

"The SHOs will deploy police personnel along with PCR vans and motorcycle patrol riders near gas agencies to maintain law and order and ensure that the distribution process remains smooth," the officer said.

He added that the main goal of this initiative is to discourage hoarding or illegal sales of LPG cylinders at inflated prices.

"The sole motive is to maintain law and order and avoid any kind of black marketing. We want to ensure that people receive LPG cylinders through the proper distribution system," he said.

Beat staff and motorcycle patrol units will regularly monitor gas agencies and the surrounding areas, the officer explained.

Another official mentioned that police are compiling a list of shopkeepers allegedly refilling small LPG cylinders at excessively high prices, an act considered black marketing.

"Such shopkeepers will be identified, and strict action will be taken against them. No one will be permitted to engage in gas black marketing," the officer asserted.

He also warned about safety risks. "Filling cylinders illegally can pose a risk of fire incidents and blasts. Apart from being illegal, it can also endanger lives and property," he said.

Police teams, including plain-clothes personnel, have been instructed to remain vigilant and gather intelligence on such activities.

"Motorcycle riders and plain-clothes police personnel will keep checking their areas and contact local sources to find out if anyone is involved in illegal refilling or black marketing of LPG," the officer added.

The directives come as households and businesses across Delhi face irregular LPG supplies. Industry representatives noted that the shortage is affecting restaurants and cafes, which heavily rely on LPG for daily operations.

Manpreet Singh, Honorary Treasurer of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), said, "Many establishments in Delhi are not receiving regular LPG supplies. Some of them are shifting to alternatives like piped natural gas and induction cooking to keep their kitchens running."

Representatives also warned that prolonged disruption could force smaller establishments to bear rising operational costs, potentially affecting staff wages.

The shortage follows the escalating West Asian conflict, after which the government prioritised domestic natural gas allocation for LPG production, compressed natural gas (CNG), and piped cooking gas. The revised allocation policy, notified through a government gazette, ensures that these sectors’ requirements are met before supplies are given to other industries.

Police said they will continue monitoring the situation to prevent exploitation of the shortage through illegal LPG sales or distribution.

Meanwhile, protests and roadblocks were reported in Noida, with police managing the traffic. Visuals from Delhi’s Vikas Nagar showed a young boy carrying an empty LPG cylinder while searching the streets for a refill.

"I have been searching for a shop since morning. The cylinder at home ran out of gas yesterday evening. Shopkeepers are selling it for Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500. Earlier, we used to get it for Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,100," he said, adding that most shops in his area have run out of stock.

Confusion has emerged among residents of Durg district, Chhattisgarh, regarding LPG cylinder availability. While the district administration maintains that there is sufficient stock of domestic gas, diesel, and petrol and that supplies are continuing normally, the situation on the ground appears different.

Several consumers report being unable to book cylinders for up to 15 days. At many gas agencies, server issues and booking delays are forcing residents to make repeated visits. Some customers say that even when their booking is confirmed, cylinders are not being delivered on time.

In response, the Chhattisgarh government reviewed LPG, diesel, and petrol availability and distribution across the state. To address public concerns, the department has issued a toll-free helpline — 1800-233-3663 — where consumers can report delivery delays or other issues.

Meanwhile, the Raipur Hotel Association stated that commercial LPG cylinder supplies have been restricted, with priority given to hospitals and educational institutions. They added that although they are not facing a crisis currently, continued restrictions could make one inevitable.

Reports of a potential LPG shortage are spreading, sparking a rush for alternative cooking methods. This has led to a sudden scarcity of induction stoves across major online platforms. Searches on sites like Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, and Swiggy show many models either out of stock or labeled “currently unavailable.”

The surge in demand seems driven by fears of LPG supply disruptions, with households increasingly turning to electric cooking options. Induction cooktops, valued for their efficiency and convenience, have become the go-to replacement for gas stoves in numerous urban kitchens. Induction stoves ‘currently unavailable’ on major online platforms

(Reported by Rashmi Drollia/TNN)

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh: Complaints over LPG availability intensified on Thursday, as residents faced difficulties booking domestic cylinders. Authorities, cracking down on alleged black-marketing, seized 75 cylinders from a shop in the Sarkanda area.

The move followed a review meeting led by collector Sanjay Agrawal, after which the food department launched inspections citywide to curb misuse and illegal storage of domestic LPG cylinders. During a raid near Mahamaya Chowk in Sarkanda, officials recovered 75 cylinders — 72 domestic and three commercial — from a gas refilling outlet.

(Reported by news agency PTI)

Exporters' body FIEO on Thursday urged the government to allocate LPG and natural gas to export-oriented manufacturing units on a priority basis, as any disruptions in the fuel availability will create problems in maintaining production schedules.
Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S C Ralhan said that he has written a letter in this regard to the commerce and industry ministry.

"Manufacturing exporters are facing issues. There is an urgent need for priority allocation of LPG/natural gas as fuel for export-oriented units (EOUs) and export-oriented SMEs," Ralhan said.

The West Asia crisis, triggered by the launch of a joint attack by the US and Israel on Iran, has disrupted energy supplies in several countries. The government has revised the priority order for allocating domestically produced natural gas, placing LPG production alongside CNG and piped cooking gas at the top.

He said that export-oriented manufacturing units are operating in a highly competitive global environment and are constantly competing with suppliers from countries such as China and other East Asian economies.

Large global buyers follow highly structured global sourcing models and require uninterrupted production and timely deliveries from their suppliers.

"In the event of disruption in fuel availability, Indian exporters are unable to maintain production schedules. Consequently, international buyers are compelled to shift their orders to competing countries, particularly China," FIEO said in a communication to the commerce ministry.

(Reported by TNN)

Kolkata’s LPG distributors were on the verge of running out of commercial stock by Wednesday evening, after the Union oil ministry earlier this week directed a halt in production for non-priority sectors, report Udit Prasanna Mukherji and Krishnendu Bandopadhyay. Sources in oil marketing companies told TOI on Tuesday that they had been instructed not to supply commercial LPG cylinders “other than those meant for hospitals, army, railways and schools” to distributors.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao on Thursday urged Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to take "urgent and coordinated intervention" over the commercial LPG cylinder shortage in Telangana. He also recommended freezing commercial cylinder prices during the "crisis" and creating a public real-time availability dashboard.

In his letter to the Union Minister, KTR said, "The acute shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has created a crisis of significant proportions, one that demands urgent, coordinated intervention from the Ministry and the committee it has constituted. We understand that the Union Government's decision to invoke the Essential Commodities Act and prioritise domestic household supply was a necessary measure. We do not contest it. However, the human cost of this decision on the commercial food sector is now severe and immediate, and requires equally decisive attention."

He added, "The Telangana State Hotel Association has warned that nearly 90 per cent of hotels and eateries in Hyderabad and across Telangana could be forced to shut within 48 hours if commercial supply is not restored."

KTR also proposed a tiered classification of commercial establishments for differential LPG allocation. Calling a single uniform category "the most consequential policy errors," he urged the Oil Marketing Company committee to set up a "tiered framework distinguishing between large national and multinational food chains, mid-size standalone restaurants, small independent eateries, and street-side vendors and daily food stalls with allocation priorities designed to protect the smallest and most vulnerable operators first."

(Reported by TNN)

In what could be the first significant impact of the ongoing West Asian conflict on fuel supply in Madhya Pradesh, the state government on Wednesday decided to restrict commercial cooking gas for hotels, malls, and bulk LPG consumers. The government clarified that domestic LPG supply will continue uninterrupted, while commercial cylinders will be provided only to educational institutions and hospitals.

District collectors have been instructed to meet with commercial LPG users, advising them to manage their existing stock carefully and explore alternative fuels to meet their needs.

“Oil companies have informed (us) that due to the current geo-political situation, there has been disruption in imports. Considering this situation, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, govt of India has directed all public sector oil marketing companies to ensure that LPG supply and distribution is given priority for domestic LPG consumers only,” stated a government advisory to district collectors. The measure, effective from Wednesday, could lead to the closure of thousands of hotels across the state until the war involving Israel and the US against Iran ends and global crude supplies stabilize.

“To ensure regular supply to households, additional measures have been implemented in LPG distribution. For example, refill booking will be accepted only after 25 days from the previous delivery,” the advisory added, noting that “The purpose of this step is to prevent hoarding and black marketing and to ensure fair and regular distribution to consumers.”

Goa CM chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said there was no shortage of LPG cylinders for domestic consumers, though commercial users were facing supply-related issues. He urged people not to panic or queue up to purchase cylinders, assuring that the situation would be resolved soon.

The TTD on Thursday clarified that there has been no disruption in the supply of cooking gas to its laddu-making and Annadanam kitchens.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams manages the globally renowned Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala.

An official from the temple body said that around four lakh laddus are prepared daily in Tirumala on average, with the number increasing to nearly 10 lakh during festival periods.

The official added that the combined cooking gas requirement for laddu preparation and Annadanam kitchens in Tirumala exceeds 10 tonnes per day.

"There is no scarcity or disruption of cooking gas supply in Tirumala. Devotees can take laddus as usual without any restrictions," the official told PTI.

(Reported by Nitya Mandyam/TNN)

Residents in several parts of Bengaluru said they faced trouble booking LPG refills on Wednesday evening, with both the customer care auto-refill service and online booking platforms reportedly malfunctioning.

“We managed to book a cycliner Wednesday morning through the customer care auto-refill system. But since evening, I know many people who were unable to book gas and are asking around to see if anyone has a spare cylinder,” said Anuradha Kamath, a resident of Uttarahalli.

Others reported similar issues with digital platforms. “I tried booking through an app and the website several times, but the system isn’t responding. It looks like the app crashed,” said Madhura Shetty, a resident of Banashankari.

Priya Narayanan from JP Nagar said several residents in her apartment complex were experiencing the same problem. “Normally, booking a refill online takes just a couple of minutes, but today (Wednesday) it simply isn’t going through.”

(Reported by news agency PTI)

The Andhra Pradesh LPG Distributors Association on Thursday said that restricting domestic cooking gas for household use can enable the state to tide over a fortnight without shortage.

The association president K Srinatha Reddy appealed to domestic consumers to use cooking gas for their own household use and refrain from selling it to hotels, especially at a time when the US- Israel and Iran war has disrupted fuel supplies globally.

"We distributors appeal only one thing, (domestic) users should use their own cylinders, they should not sell it to others. If we can do this, we can have two to three weeks of stocks for domestic (use and) we can sustain for one month without an issue," Reddy told PTI.

Enticed by money, he said some domestic consumers are selling gas cylinders at up to Rs 2,000 per unit. He appealed to people to cooperate with the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and the government.


According to Reddy, on normal days up to 2.6 lakh gas cylinders are booked per day.

(Reported by Arvind Chauhan/TNN)

Amid current geopolitical tensions raising concerns about fuel supplies in Uttar Pradesh, oil marketing companies (OMCs) have once again reassured consumers that petroleum products remain adequately available across the state. OMCs said petrol, diesel and other fuels are being supplied normally, with no shortage reported anywhere.

“Uttar Pradesh has around 4.85 crore LPG consumers, and distribution networks continue to function smoothly. There is no cause for concern,” said Sanjay Bhandari, State Level Coordinator for OMCs in Uttar Pradesh. He urged residents not to panic or hoard fuel or LPG cylinders unnecessarily.

“OMCs are fully committed to maintaining uninterrupted supply throughout the state and meeting the needs of every household and consumer without disruption during this period of global uncertainty and vigilance,” he added.

(Reported by TNN)

During surprise inspections on Thursday, the civil supplies department seized more than 100 domestic LPG cylinders that were being illegally used in hotel kitchens across Hyderabad. Officials said the cylinders, which are meant exclusively for household use, had been diverted for commercial cooking in violation of existing regulations.

While commercial and industrial consumers in Himachal Pradesh are facing a shortage of LPG cylinders due to the ongoing West Asia crisis, officials from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Thursday assured that domestic supply remains unaffected.

According to Mohammad Amid, Divisional LPG Sales Head at IOC, commercial cylinders are being prioritized for critical sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions, using stocks available with dealers.

“There is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders in the state, and regular supply is being maintained. Commercial consumers are facing a shortage, but priority sectors are being catered to from dealer stocks,” Amid said.

When asked about the duration of the commercial cylinder shortage, he said the Ministry of Petroleum is holding high-level meetings to assess sector-wise demand and regulate distribution accordingly. Himachal Pradesh has approximately 55,000 commercial LPG connections.

Amid further confirmed that domestic LPG supply from bottling plants in Baddi, Una, and Jalandhar is continuing as usual, and all 155 distributors in the state have adequate stocks.

He appealed to domestic consumers to avoid panic booking, assuring that normal supply will continue.

"We have to remain closed temporarily due to gas shortage in Bangalore . My heart is broken but the spirits are alive. We will come back stronger once the gas situation improves"- Kawaljeet Singh

(Reported by TNN)

The ripple effects of the disruption in LPG supply owing to the war in West Asia have begun to impact Delhi's restaurant sector, with at least 12 eateries shutting operations on Wednesday, citing a scarcity of commercial LPG cylinders.Restaurant owners say the limited stock available over the past few days has begun to dry up, forcing these establishments to temporarily suspend operations."Cylinders are not available even in the grey market," said Anurag Katriar, founder of Indigo Hospitality.

(Reported by news agency PTI)

Long queues and chaotic scenes were witnessed outside an LPG agency in Basti on Thursday as consumers rushed to collect cooking gas cylinders following rumours of a possible price hike, officials said.


A large crowd gathered outside the Mahagauri Gas Agency at Mahadeva crossing in Bankati block early in the morning.


According to locals, several consumers started lining up from around 4 am. When the agency gate opened at about 7 am, people surged forward to collect cylinders, with many seen carrying them on their heads and shoulders, leading to near stampede-like conditions, officials said.


District Supply Officer Vimal Kumar Shukla, however, said there was no shortage of LPG cylinders in the district.


Shukla said oil companies have recently increased the share of OTP-based LPG booking to 80 per cent from the earlier 30 per cent, due to which several connections have temporarily moved out of the regular category.


Basti has about 2.07 lakh Ujjwala beneficiaries and nearly three lakh regular LPG consumers, he said. These connections are now being reactivated through KYC verification, and staff have been deployed at gas agencies to facilitate the process, he added.

The rush comes amid heightened vigilance by the Uttar Pradesh government over rumours of fuel shortages and possible black marketing of petrol, diesel and LPG.

Authorities across the state have been directed to keep a close watch on fuel sales after panic buying was triggered by concerns linked to tensions in West Asia. Consumers, especially families preparing for weddings, rushed to secure cylinders after rumours spread about a possible rise in LPG prices.

Authorities reiterated that there is no shortage of supply and urged people not to believe in rumours.

Indraprastha Gas Limited has assured consumers that the supply of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for household cooking and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles will continue without disruption, despite turbulence in global energy markets triggered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The assurance follows the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, issued on March 9, 2026, which places the supply of natural gas to Domestic PNG and CNG in the highest priority category.

In a statement, the company said it remains committed to ensuring a steady supply of natural gas for households and transport services in line with the government’s directive.

"Accordingly we would like to assure the uninterrupted supply of Domestic PNG for household cooking and CNG for fueling for public transport and private vehicles to maintain urban mobility as per the government mandate and availability of natural gas supply," the company said.

IGL also emphasised that it will continue to maintain high service standards while keeping consumer needs at the centre of its operations.

"IGL remains persistent in its commitment to excellence, ensuring that customer service is at the heart of every endeavour we undertake," the company added.

(Reported by news agency ANI)

Members of the Karnataka State Hotel Association have appealed to the government to restore the supply of commercial LPG cylinders in Bengaluru, warning that the disruption could trigger a ripple effect on the public and cause significant losses for eateries and restaurants.

A delegation from the association met Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on Wednesday amid reports of a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders. During the meeting, they requested that a portion of the available supply be diverted for commercial use so that kitchens across the city can continue operating without disruption.

The association’s honorary president, P C Rao, said the restriction in supply would not only impact the meals of the common public but also hurt farmers, as hotels may stop purchasing vegetables, fruits, dairy products and other supplies if they are unable to run their kitchens.

"Our requirement is 25 per cent of consumption. 75 per cent is domestic, and 25 per cent is commercial gas, we requested at least give us 12.5 per cent. If am buying 50 cylinders per month, let them give atleast 50 per cent, 25 cylinders. If they make it zero, then everything will collapse. There is no food for Uber drivers, metro working people, IT, and hospital workers. We cannot prepare any food for common people, they will be the sufferers, and with that, our organisation will also lose," Rao said during a press conference here.

"We have heavy rentals, employee salaries, and infrastructure. In addition to that, we buy lakhs of litres of milk, vegetables, farmers' produce, which will also get stuck," he added.

Association president Subramanya Holla, who was also part of the delegation, said they had asked the chief secretary to take up the issue with the Central government. He alleged that officials were "not very responsive" to their concerns and said even a small reallocation of domestic LPG supply for commercial use could significantly ease the situation.

"Not much of discussion on hotel industry but anyway, we have requested the chief secretary to look into the hotel industry and give a Karnataka representation to the central government saying that atleast one and a half per cent of the gas which is given to residentials be given to commercial (establishments), that will solve atleast 50 per cent of our problem," Holla told reporters.

Assam Police on Thursday warned that strict action would be taken against individuals spreading rumours about shortages of LPG and other fuels. The warning comes a day after the chief secretary stated that local refineries are capable of meeting only around 30 per cent of the state’s demand for cooking gas.

In a post on X, Assam Police said: "Strict legal action will be taken against anyone trying to spread rumours about shortages of LPG, POL and other petroleum products."

The police also urged citizens not to trust or circulate such misleading messages, saying they may be spread by "inimical elements" attempting to create confusion among the public.

Meanwhile, the state government has set up a dedicated media monitoring committee to keep a watch on rumours, misinformation and misleading reports that could trigger panic among consumers.