New Delhi/Bengaluru: The Centre has directed states and Union territories to monitor LPG supplies daily, crack down heavily on violators, curb rumours and ensure law and order following speculation of shortages triggered by the West Asia conflict.
Induction cooktops sold out rapidly on major online platforms as restrictions on commercial LPG distribution to hotels and restaurants fuelled fears of household shortages.
The Ministry of Home Affairs activated a 24×7 control room, deploying nodal officers from the ministries of information and broadcasting, and petroleum and natural gas.
India’s annual LPG consumption stands at 31.3 million tonnes, with 87% for households and the balance for commercial use like hotels. Imports meet 62% of demand, with 85-90% routed via the Strait of Hormuz—now closed due to US-Israel strikes on Iran and Tehran’s counterattacks—supplying key sources such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
In a high-level review chaired by Union home secretary with chief secretaries and DGPs of all states and UTs, alongside senior officials from petroleum, information and consumer affairs ministries, states were briefed on the March 8 LPG Control Order. It mandates refineries and petrochemical units to ramp up production and prioritise household supplies.
According to PTI, the IRCTC instructed food plaza, refreshment room and ‘Jan Aahar’ operators to adopt alternatives for static kitchens and onboard pantries, ensuring uninterrupted passenger services, as reported by NDTV.
As demand surged nationwide over LPG worries checks showed near-total stockouts on Blinkit; limited Kent and Usha options on Amazon; and patchy availability of Kent models on Flipkart, with most others depleted.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru PG Owners Welfare Association, following a core committee meeting on Wednesday, urged 15,000-25,000 paying guest facilities to conserve gas. Measures include temporarily banning dosa, chapathi and poori to sustain resident meals amid supply disruptions.
Government sources emphasised ample stocks and import diversification efforts to avert crisis.
