LPG shortage leaves city residents waiting for days

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

As panic booking grips the city, residents are left waiting for days to get a domestic LPG cylinder with no relief in sight.

Even after an LPG vessel carrying 17,600 metric tonnes of gas from Qatar reached an Indian port two weeks ago, the domestic supply situation in the city remains largely unchanged. Residents continue to face long waiting periods for cylinder deliveries amid ongoing concerns linked to the US–Iran–Israel conflict. At smaller distributorships, particularly in areas such as TV Centre, delivery timelines have stretched to 13–15 days after booking. Larger distributors are supplying cylinders within 10 days, while a few sectors are witnessing relatively smoother distribution with deliveries being made within seven to nine days. Commercial establishments, however, have received partial relief due to comparatively good availability of small commercial cylinders, ensuring that hotels and eateries continue to function without major disruption. Distributors told Lokmat Times that panic booking continues to be a major challenge. Meanwhile, some consumers are reportedly approaching distributors directly, attempting to obtain cylinders through unauthorised means outside the official booking system.

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Counters restricted amid rush

Several LPG agencies in the TV Centre area have limited operations due to heavy crowd pressure. Only select counters are functioning, while some outlets are shutting by noon or 2 pm to manage the rush, leading to regulated but uneven crowd movement at distribution centres.

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Gas supply delay

“I have been standing in front of the gas agency in N-8 for the last four hours. I booked the LPG cylinder 10 days ago, but I have still not received it. When will local residents finally get their cylinders?”

- Rajesh Patil, government employee

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LPG supply status stable

Stock levels from oil companies remain unchanged, yet panic-driven bookings continue at nearly 50,000 cylinders per day. Waiting periods stand at around 10 days for larger distributors and up to 15 days for smaller ones, with cancellations also being recorded. The existing distribution mechanism, however, is functioning as per prescribed norms.

- District Supply Officer Pravin Phulari