LPG Supply Continues Amid Concerns; Distributors Urge Public to Stay Calm
Bengaluru: Amid rising public concern over LPG availability due to the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East, LPG distributors across Karnataka have issued a reassurance that supplies remain steady and uninterrupted.
Addressing the media at a press meet held at the Press Club of Bangalore on Wednesday, Kumar LG, Secretary of the All India LPG Distributors Federation (Karnataka Circle), clarified that refills are being supplied regularly to both domestic and commercial consumers as per directives from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
He emphasized that LPG distributors function strictly as channel partners and have no control over production, allocation, or overall supply decisions, which rest entirely with OMCs.
To ensure equitable distribution during this period of high demand, a regulated refill booking interval system has been implemented. For single-cylinder connections, the waiting period ranges from 9 to 25 days depending on cylinder size, while for double-cylinder connections, it extends up to 35 days. Ujjwala beneficiaries will have longer intervals, with up to 45 days for 14.2 kg cylinders.
Distributors have urged consumers to avoid panic booking, noting that excessive demand is causing system congestion and delays. They also advised against visiting LPG agencies or godowns, as deliveries are being systematically managed and carried out directly to consumers’ homes.
Booking services through IVRS and WhatsApp remain operational, along with official mobile applications such as Indian Oil ONE, HP PAY, and Hello BPCL. However, prepaid bookings are currently suspended, and third-party payment platforms like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Amazon Pay are not accepting bookings.
Officials acknowledged an average delivery backlog of 8–10 days across the state, attributing delays to high booking volumes and operational challenges, including software issues, slow mobile applications for delivery personnel, and non-operational days at LPG plants on Sundays and public holidays.
Consumers have been reminded that E-KYC is mandatory for booking refills. Ujjwala beneficiaries are required to complete re-verification after every seven refills. The process can be completed during delivery or through official apps using Aadhaar-based FaceRD authentication.
The federation also cautioned consumers to book refills only through registered mobile numbers and to share OTP or Delivery Authentication Codes (DAC) strictly at the time of delivery. Any misuse arising from premature sharing of such details will not be the responsibility of distributors.
In view of current supply constraints, issuance of new and additional LPG connections has been temporarily suspended, though registrations continue and connections will be provided based on seniority once the situation stabilizes. Transfer of connections within cities and across states remains unaffected.
Commercial users have been advised to procure cylinders only through authorized agencies and avoid unauthorized sellers or intermediaries. Consumers should insist on proper billing for all transactions.
Highlighting the strain on field staff, distributors appealed to the public to cooperate with delivery personnel and office staff, noting instances of abuse and harassment that have further impacted operations.
Consumers have been urged to rely solely on official updates from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and respective OMCs, and to refrain from spreading or acting on unverified information.
Reiterating their commitment, LPG distributors assured that they will continue to serve consumers in line with OMC guidelines and allocations, while seeking patience and cooperation during this challenging period.
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