LPG Cylinder Shortage Hits Bhiwandi Hard, Migrant Workers Queue Overnight for Cooking Fuel

A severe shortage of 5-kg LPG cylinders, reportedly linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions in Gulf regions, has started disrupting everyday life in Bhiwandi, a city known for its large migrant labour population. The scarcity has left hundreds of workers struggling to access essential cooking fuel, pushing many to gather outside gas agencies late at night. In several areas, people have begun forming queues from midnight in hopes of securing a cylinder. The situation has steadily worsened over recent days, creating anxiety among daily-wage earners who depend heavily on affordable fuel for their basic household needs and daily survival.

The limited availability of cylinders has triggered an intense daily rush among Bhiwandi’s workforce, which largely relies on small 5-kg LPG cylinders for cooking. Gas agencies are reportedly receiving only 40 to 50 cylinders each day, leading to a “first come, first served” system that leaves many without supply. Labourers have started arriving as early as midnight, marking their positions and even sleeping on roadsides to avoid losing their chance. Despite these efforts, the number of people in line each morning far exceeds the available stock, forcing many to return empty-handed after waiting for hours.

The shortage has also created serious challenges for basic living conditions, as the absence of LPG has made cooking at home increasingly difficult. For daily-wage workers, relying on outside food is not a viable option due to high costs. This has directly affected their nutrition, financial stability, and overall well-being. Many families are now struggling to manage meals, highlighting the broader social impact of the crisis. The ongoing situation has not only increased daily hardships but has also intensified frustration among the affected population, who are finding it harder to cope with the rising difficulties.

Sagar Kamurti, the operator of Siddhivinayak Gas Agency, confirmed that supplies of both 5-kg and 19-kg commercial cylinders have been significantly restricted. He explained that although 5-kg cylinders are meant mainly for domestic use, demand has surged sharply in recent days. To control distribution, the agency has introduced a system requiring customers to submit Aadhaar details and mobile numbers through an application form. He revealed that on Saturday, only 120 cylinders were delivered, while nearly 400 to 500 customers were waiting, making crowd management extremely difficult and forcing many people to leave without cylinders.

Amid the worsening crisis, migrant workers have appealed to the administration to step in and address the shortage urgently. They have demanded an immediate increase in LPG supply to ensure that essential cooking fuel is accessible to all. Workers fear that if the situation continues, it could further disrupt their daily lives and push them into deeper hardship. The growing demand, combined with limited supply, has made the issue increasingly critical, prompting calls for swift intervention to restore normalcy and prevent further escalation of the problem in the coming days.