19 March,2026 05:26 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
A worker sorts LPG cooking gas cylinders at a depot, amid a shortage linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict affecting the global energy supply chain, in Prayagraj, on Thursday. Pic/PTI
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Thursday emphasised that no liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distributor in the country is currently facing a dry-out situation, with domestic supplies and cylinder deliveries continuing as scheduled.
Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that while the overall regional situation remains a matter of concern, domestic consumer services continue to remain stable and uninterrupted.
"On the issue of LPG, I would like to reiterate that the situation still remains a matter of concern. However, no LPG distributor is facing a dry-out situation at present⦠LPG supplies and cylinder deliveries for all domestic consumers are continuing as usual," Sharma said.
The ministry highlighted significant progress in digital transitions, reporting that nearly 94 per cent of cylinder bookings are now being made online, while the delivery authentication code system has reached 76 per cent efficiency, news agency ANI reported.
On commercial operations, Sharma said that supplies were initially completely halted but have since been partially restored.
"In the context of commercial LPG, allocation orders have been issued by about 17 state governments, and commercial LPG supplies have been provided to all states and union territories," she noted.
To further stabilise the market, the Central government has proposed providing 10 per cent additional commercial LPG and urged state governments to cooperate in expanding piped natural gas (PNG) networks. These initiatives have resulted in around 1.25 lakh new domestic, commercial, and industrial connections over the past two weeks, ANI reported.
"The Government of India has asked all state governments to extend cooperation in the expansion of PNG networks and has proposed providing 10% additional commercial LPG. Due to all these initiatives and efforts, around 1.25 lakh new domestic, commercial, and industrial connections have been provided in the last two weeks," Sharma added.
The ministry also confirmed a growing shift towards alternative fuels, noting that "in the last three days more than 5,600 domestic LPG users shifted to PNG connections".
Sharma emphasised that the government is making "every possible effort at all levels to ensure LPG is available to domestic consumers" and urged the public to rely only on official information to prevent panic.
The Centre has recently directed state governments to take strict action against black marketing and hoarding. Sharma said that control rooms have been established in around 31 states and Union Territories, with district-level monitoring committees active in about 25 regions. Several states have already conducted raids, filed first information reports (FIRs), and made arrests related to black marketing.
"I request all consumers please do online booking and wait for your turn; there is no need to visit gas agencies unnecessarily," she said, adding that while panic booking has decreased, queues are still being seen at some distributors.
"People should not pay attention to rumours and should rely only on official information. Panic booking has decreased, but queues are still being seen at distributors. Hence, I request all consumers to book refills online," Sharma concluded.
(With ANI inputs)
