Government Orders Increase in LPG Production
The ministry has prioritised domestic LPG supply to households and introduced a 25-day inter-booking period to avoid hoarding and black marketing. This statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas highlights the urgency of the situation as the country faces significant challenges in the LPG supply chain.
In recent weeks, the government has issued directives to oil refineries to ramp up LPG production for domestic use. This move comes in response to ongoing geopolitical tensions that have disrupted global fuel supply chains, leading to heightened demand for LPG. The conflict in West Asia has particularly impacted the availability of fuel, prompting the government to take decisive action.
As part of these measures, the Ministry has emphasized the need to prioritize domestic LPG supply to households, ensuring that families have access to this essential resource. The introduction of a 25-day inter-booking period aims to mitigate issues of hoarding and black marketing, which have been reported in various regions.
In addition to domestic priorities, the government has also established a framework for non-domestic LPG supplies. Essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions are receiving priority for imported LPG, ensuring that critical services are not disrupted. A committee of three Executive Directors from Oil Marketing Companies has been formed to review LPG supply requests from these non-domestic sectors.
However, the situation remains challenging. Reports indicate that LPG supply disruptions have led to refill delays of 2 to 8 days in Mumbai, causing inconvenience for many residents. Furthermore, the supply of commercial LPG cylinders has been completely halted, significantly affecting hotels and restaurants that rely on this fuel for their operations.
P C Rao, a representative from the hospitality sector, noted, “Only about 10% of hotels and restaurants in Bengaluru received their LPG supply today.” This statistic underscores the severity of the supply issues facing the commercial sector, which is struggling to cope with the sudden halt in LPG deliveries.
The government’s proactive measures aim to stabilize the LPG supply chain and ensure that households and essential services are adequately supported during this period of disruption. As the situation evolves, further updates from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are expected to clarify ongoing efforts and any additional measures that may be implemented to address these challenges.
