Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Auto LPG prices have doubled from Rs 62 to Rs 120 per litre within a month amid the West Asia conflict, yet the fuel remains unavailable, leaving 28 city pumps dry for the past 14 days and creating an emergency-like situation.
Dealers said auto LPG is procured from private importers without direct government price control. However, after tensions involving Israel, the US and Iran escalated, global LPG rates surged. Of the total LPG imports, the government is reportedly procuring 75 per cent, leaving only 15 per cent for auto LPG pumps. The shortage and price spike have affected nearly 35,000 autorickshaw drivers. Pump owners fear action, including sealing, if they sell at higher rates without approval, forcing closures. At a press conference, 28 pump owners urged the Centre and state to intervene and asked the Petroleum Ministry to direct oil companies Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil to ensure supply. They assured they would sell LPG at company-fixed rates. Dealers present included Manish Umale, Parag Bhatia, Aditya Pandey, Mayur Jaiswal, Mohammed Firoz, Dishant Dayalani, Daksh Ratnaparkhi and Gaurav Jaiswal.