LPG Gas Cylinder Crisis India News Live Update: Govt raises commercial LPG supply to 70% capacity of pre-war levels

Restaurants in the national capital are “grappling” with an “inadequate supply of commercial LPG cylinders”, with many operators saying that receiving just one or two cylinders a day is not enough to meet their requirements despite the government increasing allocations, as cited by PTI.

The alleged shortage has disrupted the day-to-day functioning of eateries, with operators saying that inconsistent supply and limited allocations are affecting business viability.

India is in touch with all concerned countries to ensure the safe transit of its vessels to meet energy requirements, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday, noting that four LPG-laden ships have safely arrived in India after crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to queries during the weekly media briefing, Jaiswal said India’s energy sourcing strategy is guided by the need to meet the demands of its 1.4 billion people, while also taking into account market dynamics and the prevailing global situation.

"We have kept you informed about the Indian ships that have so far crossed the Strait of Hormuz. Four ships laden with LPG have arrived in India after crossing the Strait safely... We continue to be in touch with all concerned countries for the safe transit of our ships to meet our energy requirements," said Jaiswal.

In Jorhat, consumer distress over LPG supply goes beyond shortages, with many residents expressing concern over the lack of clear, reliable and timely information. Consumers say a more transparent and organised distribution system is needed, adding that advance information on allocation schedules could help prevent overcrowding and long queues at distribution points.

Responding to these concerns, gas agency owner Satyabrata Barua denied any wrongdoing and said his staff were fully cooperating with customers. He attributed much of the current situation to panic buying, with some consumers attempting to secure more cylinders than they require, as cited by ANI.

Barua also claimed that several households that already use Piped Natural Gas (PNG) are refilling their LPG cylinders as a precaution, further limiting availability for those who depend solely on LPG.

While some supply constraints may exist, panic buying and misinformation appear to have significantly aggravated the situation.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday reiterated her demand that cooking gas produced in the state should not be diverted to other parts of the country, citing concerns over a perceived LPG shortage amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Responding to a question on the Centre’s decision to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 to help oil marketing companies cope with rising global crude prices, Banerjee asked whether the benefit would be passed on to consumers.

“They increased fuel prices to alarming levels first and are now reducing duties in minuscule amounts. I want people to get that benefit,” she said while speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport before boarding a flight to Andal in Burdwan district, where she is scheduled to address election rallies.

Sujata Sharma, joint secretary (marketing and oil refinery), said the government prioritised domestic consumers due to India’s heavy reliance on LPG imports, nearly 90 per cent of which pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Commercial LPG supplies were temporarily curtailed and later restored in phases, with availability gradually increasing from 20 per cent to 70 per cent.

"As you know, India has a high dependency on LPG imports, and about 90% of these imports were coming through the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, the Government of India decided to prioritise domestic consumers. In this process, commercial supplies were temporarily halted. After that, through calibrated decisions, 20% of commercial supplies were restored, followed by an additional 10% to support the expansion of the PNG network. Later, this was increased to 50%, and today it has been raised to 70%," Sujata Sharma said.

"The conflict in the Middle East has affected India’s supplies of crude oil, LPG, and LNG. Crude prices, along with other petroleum products, have risen in the international market. However, the Government of India has taken several important decisions at different levels to manage the situation effectively. We have sufficient crude inventory, with supplies lined up for the next two months. The situation is comfortable with respect to LPG and PNG as well. Our refineries are operating at full or even above capacity, and domestic LPG production has increased by almost 40%... Since India has a high import dependency—about 90% of LPG imports came through the Strait of Hormuz—the government decided to prioritise domestic consumers over commercial supply. Initially, commercial supplies were halted, then gradually restored: first 20%, then an additional 10% based on ease of doing business for PNG expansion, later raised to 50%, and now to 70%. As a result, nearly 30,000 tonnes of commercial LPG have been supplied since 14 March... In making these decisions, the government ensured priority for restaurants, roadside eateries, hotels, industrial canteens, and migrant labour. Orders also specified priority for steel, automobiles, textiles, dyes, chemicals, and plastics. Around 30,000 small 5‑kg cylinders were distributed to migrant workers... The purpose of highlighting this is to make clear that India has sufficient crude, petrol, and diesel available. LPG, LNG, and PNG supplies are secure. Despite rumours in some places, which caused long queues at petrol pumps, there is no shortage. Even though the Indian crude basket price rose from around $70 per barrel to over $100, the government ensured that no product faced scarcity. Unlike many neighbouring countries where fuel prices have increased, in India, petrol and diesel prices have not been raised," said Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.

"Most of the dimensions of the West Asia crisis, and what this translates into for the Indian economy, are particularly evident in relation to the disruption of petroleum product supplies. Following this crisis, there has been a significant surge in international crude prices... As a result of the crisis, international crude prices have naturally risen sharply. In addition, there has also been a substantial increase in the prices of petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel... This situation has created a market incentive for refineries to export at higher international prices. The government’s response has been very calibrated. It introduced certain export duties in the form of Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) and Road and Infrastructure Cess (RIC). These duties have been imposed on the export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel," said Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Vivek Chaturvedi

The Chhattisgarh government has capped LPG supply to commercial consumers at 20% of their previous month’s usage and prepared a priority distribution list, placing hospitals, educational institutions, and security forces at the top. The move aims to streamline availability amid rising demand.

Food Secretary Reena Baba Saheb Kangale reviewed LPG stock and distribution with regional heads of oil companies and directed a tighter, priority-based supply system across the state.

Auto drivers charging unreasonable fares have found a convenient new excuse: LPG. Across the city, drivers are citing rising fuel costs to demand steep, often arbitrary fares, leaving commuters with little choice but to pay or walk away. In the last few days, many have taken to social media to vent that drivers claim they are paying triple the LPG price to demand exorbitant amounts.

“Earlier they would demand Rs 20 or Rs 30 extra, now if the fare is Rs 120, they ask for Rs 200. If we haggle, they say there is LPG shortage and they pay double or triple and wait for hours to refuel,” said J Geetha, a resident of Chintadripet.

The claims, however, do not entirely hold up. While LPG prices have risen, reported fare hikes far exceed any proportional increase in operating costs. At PSU fuel outlets, LPG was priced at around Rs 65 per litre as of Thursday, while private bunks sold it between Rs 80 and Rs 85. Yet, drivers and commuters report transaction values far above these rates.

A Shankar, a resident of Velachery, experienced this first-hand after landing late at the airport. “Taxi drivers demanded Rs 1,000. I refused, only to end up paying 900 to an auto driver, who said he paid more for fuel,” he said.

Auto drivers insist their concerns are real. Many say private LPG stations operate irregularly and charge a premium. “I paid Rs Rs 135 per litre after searching for half an hour. I also pay 30% commission to aggregators. What do I take home?” asked R Guru, an auto driver in Vadapalani.

Unions, however, offer a different take. M Sampath of AITUC alleged that gas agencies have created an artificial scarcity to push up prices. “Prices have gone up, but there is no real shortage. No auto driver has stopped operating,” he said.

Amid the blame game, the regulatory vacuum remains glaring. A Zahir Hussain, president of Tamil Nadu auto and call taxi drivers union federation, said overcharging will continue until fares are officially revised. “We are ready for a revised fare. Disputes between drivers and passengers will reduce only then,” he said.

The problem is no longer confined to autos. Cab and bike taxi drivers, who rarely demanded a sum over the actual fare earlier, are now citing fuel demand to justify higher fares despite repeated assurances from suppliers that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG. An official from Rapido said complaints have risen on both sides and they are in talks to revise the fares. “Drivers are paying more for LPG, but overcharging is also behavioural. We may revise fares on our app,” the official said.

Home delivery of domestic LPG cylinders across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has slowed significantly, with waiting times stretching to 8–10 days and long queues forming at dealer outlets in parts of Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, dealers said on Thursday.

The shortage is being felt most by single-cylinder households and families in need of urgent refills. Residents of slums and chawls are among the worst affected, as many rely on a single cylinder and have limited space to store an extra one.

Dealers said they are providing cylinders directly at outlets to such consumers, but this has led to a cascading backlog in doorstep deliveries.

At the same time, the adoption of piped natural gas (PNG) has risen sharply across the MMR. Officials from Mahanagar Gas Ltd said data on the latest surge in new connections is still being compiled.

The region, which already has more than 31 lakh households with piped gas connections, accounts for a significant share of the 3.5 lakh new PNG connections added across India in the past three weeks, sources in MGL said.

For commercial PNG, a 20% cut in supply continues, particularly affecting hotels in the city, the sources added.

In the case of LPG, a Bhandup dealer said the outlet receives 1,000 to 1,200 cylinders daily, while bookings are nearly double that number. Around 500 consumers now visit the outlet every day seeking immediate replacement of empty cylinders. "They have the booking but they cannot wait for over a week for deliveries. But since we give them the cylinder, we fall short when it comes to delivering cylinders at the doorsteps of others who have booked. The backlog increases and so does the delivery delay," the dealer added.

The government said priority allocation is continuing, with 100% supply being maintained for domestic PNG, LPG and CNG transport.

Congress leader Manickam Tagore has moved an adjournment motion in the House over the recent hike in commercial LPG cylinder prices, flagging its impact on the public and the economy.

In a letter, Tagore said, "The recent hike in commercial LPG cylinder rates by 30-40% has sent shockwaves across the nation, causing panic among the people. The shortage of supply and subsequent price hike of restaurant items have further exacerbated the situation, putting the common man at the receiving end."

He also warned of wider economic fallout, stating, "The exorbitant increase in commercial LPG rates will have a ripple effect on the economy, leading to skyrocketing food prices, closure of small and medium-sized enterprises, loss of livelihood for thousands of people."

Targeting the Centre's response, Tagore added, "The government's inaction in addressing this issue has put the nation on high alert. I urge the House to adjourn to discuss this urgent matter and take necessary steps to roll back the hike in commercial LPG rates, ensure adequate supply of LPG cylinders, and control the price hike of restaurant items. The situation demands immediate attention, and I request the government to take concrete measures to alleviate the suffering of the people."

Meghalaya has approached the Centre seeking a significant increase in LPG supply after facing reduced deliveries, particularly of commercial cylinders that have impacted hotels and restaurants, a state minister said on Thursday.

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Methodius Dkhar said the state has requested a 50–60 per cent hike in LPG allocation, pointing to rising demand driven by increased tourism and greater reliance on the fuel.

"We have written to the Union minister to enhance the quota allocated to the state. In the last two days, we have received a slightly better supply of commercial cylinders, but it is still not at the level we used to get earlier," said Dkhar according to news agency PTI.

He clarified that there is no major shortage of LPG for domestic consumers at present, though supply of commercial cylinders continues to remain tight.

"If the requirement is 100 cylinders, we are currently receiving around 80," he said.

The minister added that steps have been taken to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG.

Committees led by the chief secretary and district authorities have been set up to monitor the situation and ensure fair distribution.

"At present, there are some shortages affecting restaurants and hotels, but the situation has improved compared to two to three weeks ago. We are making efforts through the department to further increase the supply," he said.

The District Supply Department in Tiruppur on Thursday seized over 200 commercial and domestic LPG cylinders that were allegedly stored without proper permission in Thai Mookambigai Nagar near Chamundipuram.

Officials had earlier received a tip-off about the illegal storage of cylinders. Acting on the information, District Supply Officer and Consumer Protection Officer Saravanan, along with Civil Supplies (North) officer Ragavi and Civil Supplies CID Inspector Rajasekhar, rushed to the spot and conducted an inspection.

During the raid, authorities found more than 200 cylinders stocked for sale without authorization. Preliminary investigations revealed that the cylinders belonged to Vinayaka Gas Agencies.

Further inquiry is underway, and officials are investigating the role of the agency’s owner, Mohan, in the matter.

The District Magistrate of Lucknow, Visakh G Iyer, on Thursday highlighted the administration’s efforts to ensure adequate fuel supplies in the city, assuring residents that there is no shortage.

The DM said the administration is actively monitoring demand and urged the public not to hoard fuel, according to news agency ANI.

"As soon as the demand at petrol pumps increased, a meeting was held with the oil marketing companies. Yesterday, the demand at petrol pumps in Lucknow district increased by about 30-35%. I would request everyone that there is no shortage of any kind. Do not hoard fuel. The police and administration are ensuring that there is no shortage of any kind at any petrol pump," he said.

Meanwhile, the Government of India confirmed that fuel supplies across the country remain stable and retail outlets are functioning normally, despite ongoing developments in West Asia, and urged citizens not to fall for rumours or panic buying.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah urged people not to panic or crowd petrol pumps, saying there was no shortage of fuel, LPG or essential commodities in the Union Territory.

Warning against panic buying, Abdullah said rumours were creating unnecessary pressure at fuel stations and could lead to avoidable disruption.

“My earnest request is that people stop camping outside petrol pumps. If this situation continues, I may be forced to shut all petrol pumps for the next few days until this cycle of rumours stop,” he said.

He said unnecessary crowding at fuel stations, despite official assurances, would only worsen the situation.

“If people keep gathering outside petrol pumps based on rumours, it will unnecessarily create problems where none exist,” he said, reacting to long queues outside petrol pumps.

Abdullah reiterated that there was no shortage of fuel, LPG or essential commodities and said he was attending a meeting with the prime minister on the matter.

On Pakistan positioning itself as a potential mediator in the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, Abdullah said any effort that helps end the war should not be opposed.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan warned that oil markets could face disruption worse than during Covid-19 if the Iran conflict is not resolved.

The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar collectorate has capped fuel purchases at Rs 200 for two-wheelers and Rs 2,000 for three- and four-wheelers amid the month-long West Asia crisis, an official said.

The order was issued by the supply branch of the collector’s office as long queues were reported at petrol pumps due to rumours of a fuel shortage, which the official said had created a temporary demand-supply imbalance.

“Two-wheelers are now permitted to purchase only Rs 200 worth of fuel, and the permitted amount for three and four-wheelers is Rs 2000. The pumps are now prohibited from selling fuel in bottles, cans and drums. This will not apply to vehicles providing emergency services,” the order said.

It also directed petrol pumps to display their daily fuel stock at a visible location on the premises. The order will remain in force until further clarification, the official added.

Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Thursday that the country has about 60 days of fuel stock cover and there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG.

Dismissing reports of shortages as a “deliberate misinformation campaign” aimed at triggering panic buying, the ministry said all petrol pumps across the country are adequately stocked and operating normally, with no rationing of petrol or diesel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with Chief Ministers tomorrow evening via video conferencing on the West Asia conflict to review the preparedness and response plans of states. The meeting will focus on ensuring coordinated efforts in the spirit of ‘Team India’.

States currently headed for elections will not be part of this meeting due to the Model Code of Conduct. A separate meeting for the Chief Secretaries of poll-bound states will be convened through the Cabinet Secretariat.

Authorities are ramping up preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, with an estimated requirement of nearly 20 lakh commercial and domestic LPG cylinders to support hotels, restaurants and roadside eateries along the pilgrimage route.

Prajapati Nautiyal, officer on special duty (OSD) for the Char Dham Yatra Administration Organisation, said a report outlining the projected demand has already been submitted to the government.

"Preparations are underway for the successful conduct of the Chardham Yatra 2026. In this context, on the instructions of the Tourism Secretary, we requested data from the districts regarding the number of commercial and domestic gas cylinders used in May and June of the Chardham Yatra of 2025. We received that data yesterday. It has been seen that approximately 16 lakh gas cylinders were used," Nautiyal said.


"We have sent this report to the government, to the Secretary, and he will decide further on whether we will need more gas cylinders than that. Last year, approximately 16 lakh were required. We need to prepare for approximately eighteen to twenty lakh cylinders, and information has been given," he added.


Officials said the demand will be spread across seven districts along the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand, where thousands of establishments cater to pilgrims during the yatra season. Last year, 16,41,149 cylinders were supplied within the first two months of the pilgrimage, according to news agency ANI.

The Char Dham Yatra is scheduled to begin on April 19 with the opening of the gates at Yamunotri and Gangotri. The portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath will open on April 22 and April 23, respectively.

With lakhs of devotees expected to undertake the pilgrimage, ensuring smooth logistics and adequate supply of essential commodities remains a key priority for the state government.

The Char Dham Yatra — covering Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath — is among the most significant religious pilgrimages in Hinduism. Traditionally, the journey is undertaken in a clockwise direction, starting from Yamunotri, followed by Gangotri, Kedarnath and concluding at Badrinath.

Officials attribute the recent surge in connections to policy interventions and operational flexibility, including round-the-clock work permissions. “There has been a push from the Centre to scale up supply. Earlier, work was permitted only at night, but now we have approval for 24-hour operation. This will accelerate the pace of connections,” said Ambuj Gautam, general manager at GAIL Gas. The ministry of petroleum and natural gas has directed city gas distribution entities to expand infrastructure and fast-track domestic PNG rollout, while also urging commercial establishments to switch to natural gas to ease pressure on LPG supplies.

Authorities have been asked to streamline approvals and consider temporary waivers on road restoration and permission charges. GAIL Gas has secured 24-hour work permits from the Dehradun administration, enabling faster execution. “With continuous operations, we can add up to 20 domestic connections per day. Commercial establishments are also showing an interest, and one mall has already transitioned to piped gas. We expect 15–20 more commercial units to transition within a month,” Gautam said. The project aims to cover around three lakh households in the district, with over Rs 300 crore already invested out of the sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore.

Authorities have accelerated the rollout of piped natural gas (PNG) as an ongoing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortage continues to affect both households and businesses in Dehradun. Domestic PNG connections have risen sharply from 1,800 to over 2,200 within a month, officials said Wednesday, reflecting a growing shift driven by supply constraints.

The LPG shortfall, particularly in the commercial sector, has forced several establishments to shut down temporarily, prompting many to transition to PNG as a more reliable alternative. The PNG project, introduced in 2020 and gaining momentum in 2022, is expected to be completed by 2030. Despite nearly one lakh households applying for connections, only around 1,800 had been connected until recently, highlighting the earlier slow pace of expansion.

Buxar DM Sahila said there is adequate supply of LPG cylinders in the district, noting that 60,963 cylinders were distributed between March 13 and 24. As of March 24, a stock of 4,903 cylinders remains available with gas agencies, he said. The DM said 27 gas agencies are currently operating in the district.

The ongoing West Asia conflict has triggered a surge in LPG refill bookings, which have risen by 30–35% this month compared to February, a state official said on Wednesday.

Mohammad Amid, divisional LPG sales head at Indian Oil Corporation, said daily bookings, which stood at around 9,500 in February, have increased sharply in March. He attributed the spike to panic over a perceived shortage.

Data shows that in the first 15 days of February, 3,86,867 deliveries were made against 4,82,341 bookings, leaving a gap of 95,574.

In contrast, during the first half of March, deliveries dropped to 3,16,926 while bookings surged to 6,45,388, widening the gap significantly to 3,28,462.

Amid maintained that there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders, adding that all 12 districts are being supplied through plants located in Baddi, Una, and Jalandhar.

He said rationing is currently being enforced for commercial LPG cylinders, with only 20% of demand being met. This is expected to be increased to 40–50% in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said the disruption in supplies is linked to the conflict in West Asia and criticised India's foreign policy for the situation.

"The impact of strained relations with friendly nations like Iran is evident in the current situation," he said, according to news agency PTI.

The shortage has begun to affect businesses, with several dhaba owners shutting operations and hotels and restaurants cutting down their menus, he added.

The LPG crunch has even forced establishments like Hotel Holiday Home, the official caterer to the Vidhan Sabha, to revert to traditional ‘chulhas’.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch has uncovered an illegal LPG racket in Sangam Vihar, South Delhi, arresting four men and seizing 183 gas cylinders. The operation was carried out following a tip-off about suspicious storage and distribution activities in the area.

Police identified the accused as Sher Singh, Suraj Parihar, Raghu Raj Singh and Jitender Sharma. All four are registered delivery personnel with an authorised gas agency and were allegedly misusing their roles to run an illegal storage and refilling operation, according to news agency ANI.

Officials said 183 Indane cylinders were recovered from three rented godowns, including 154 filled and 29 empty.

During questioning, it emerged that the accused would collect cylinders from the agency but not deliver them to customers. Instead, they stored them in rented spaces, where they siphoned off 1–2 kg of gas from filled cylinders and transferred it into empty ones using makeshift equipment. These refilled cylinders were then sold in the open market at higher prices.

Police also seized equipment used in the operation, including iron pipes, electronic weighing scales and refilling tools, indicating a well-organised racket functioning under the cover of legitimate supply.

A case has been registered under the Essential Commodities Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Union home minister Amit Shah is leading an informal Group of Ministers (GoM) tasked with handling “overall strategic issues” arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia, including disruptions in the supply of cooking gas and LNG — a key input for urea production.

Shah has already convened a meeting with key ministers, including fertiliser minister J P Nadda and external affairs minister S Jaishankar, to review the availability of fertilisers and petroleum gas.

According to sources, a separate informal GoM has also been formed under power and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar to address energy supply concerns.

This group met on Wednesday to deliberate on issues related to “piped gas supply to homes.” The meeting was attended by food and renewable energy minister Pralhad Joshi, heavy industries minister H D Kumaraswamy, and petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

The discussions are significant as the government is pushing for a wider shift from LPG to PNG among households.

Earlier, while chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed the formation of dedicated groups of ministers and secretaries to adopt a whole-of-government approach. He also called for sector-specific groups to work closely with stakeholders.

On Wednesday, Modi announced the creation of seven empowered groups of secretaries to tackle various challenges arising from the crisis. Some of these groups held their first meetings on Thursday. “There will be greater clarity on the course of action in the next couple of days,” an official said.

Authorities are stepping up the rollout of piped natural gas (PNG) as a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) continues to impact households and businesses. In Dehradun, the number of domestic PNG connections has increased from 1,800 to over 2,200 within a month, officials said on Wednesday.


The LPG crunch, especially in the commercial sector, has forced several establishments to shut operations temporarily, pushing many to switch to PNG. A report by The Times of India in February noted that the PNG project in Dehradun was launched in 2020, picked up pace in 2022, and is expected to be completed by 2030. Despite nearly one lakh households applying, only about 1,800 had received connections until recently.


Officials attributed the recent rise in connections to policy support and operational changes. "There has been a push from the Centre to scale up supply. Earlier, work was permitted only at night, but now we have approval for 24-hour operation. This will accelerate the pace of connections," said Ambuj Gautam, general manager at GAIL Gas.


The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed city gas distribution (CGD) companies to expand infrastructure and speed up domestic PNG rollout. It has also urged commercial units to shift to natural gas to reduce pressure on LPG supplies, while asking authorities to streamline approvals and consider temporary waivers on road restoration and permission charges.


GAIL Gas has secured round-the-clock work permits from the Dehradun administration. "With continuous operations, we can add up to 20 domestic connections per day. Commercial establishments are also showing an interest, and one mall has already transitioned to piped gas. We expect 15-20 more commercial units to transition within a month," Gautam said.


The project aims to connect around three lakh households across the district. Of the sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore, more than Rs300 crore has already been invested.

Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday assured the Assembly that there is no shortage of LPG cylinders in the national capital.

He stated, "I would like to inform the citizens and the entire House that no rumours regarding LPG distribution in Delhi should be encouraged. The department is working with full vigilance to curb black marketing and ensure smooth supply."

Sirsa clarified that the situation has remained completely normal over the past 22-25 days, with no signs of overbooking or shortage."Domestic and commercial cylinders are being supplied on a priority basis in accordance with the Central Government's policy, ensuring that essential services, including hospitals, receive an uninterrupted supply."

Sirsa added, "With the festive season approaching, I want to assure the entire House that not even for a single day or a single hour will there be any shortage anywhere."

He further assured that any complaint received will be acted upon immediately by his office. The Delhi government, he said, is maintaining strict monitoring and taking firm action against rumours, according to news agency ANI.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Wednesday said the Centre is prioritising Piped Natural Gas (PNG), while maintaining that petrol and diesel supplies remain adequate and prices unchanged.

Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma said the government is ensuring 100% domestic PNG supply and has put in place a streamlined, time-bound framework to expand pipeline infrastructure across the country.

The Centre has also conducted 2,700 raids and seized 2,000 LPG cylinders as part of a crackdown on black marketing and hoarding.

To support the transition, the government has tightened rules to fast-track the expansion of city gas distribution (CGD) networks by mandating time-bound approvals for pipeline installation. Authorities must now grant right of way and necessary permissions within fixed timelines, failing which approvals will be automatically deemed granted under provisions of the Essential Commodities Act. This reform is expected to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically slowed infrastructure rollout, enabling wider PNG access across urban and semi-urban areas. At the same time, safeguards have been built in—households will continue receiving LPG if authorised agencies certify that PNG connections are technically unfeasible—ensuring the shift does not disrupt supply where pipeline access remains impractical.

The Centre has decided to gradually stop LPG cylinder supply to households that have access to piped natural gas (PNG) but have not opted for a connection, giving consumers a three-month window to switch. The move is aimed at reducing dependence on imported LPG, nearly 60% of which India sources from abroad, with a significant share passing through the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz. Officials argue that PNG offers a more stable and logistically efficient alternative, as its supply chain remains relatively comfortable despite partial reliance on imported LNG. The policy will also extend to rented accommodations, placing the responsibility on property owners to ensure PNG connections are installed, reinforcing the government’s position that gas infrastructure should be treated as a basic utility similar to electricity and water.