LPG Crisis Deepens Amid War; Opposition Targets Government Over Black Marketing

Complaints about LPG shortages and rising black marketing have intensified political confrontations and increased difficulties for common people.

Although disruptions in the supply of petrol and LPG cylinders have reduced to some extent, the government claims there is no major shortfall in supply. However, on the ground, panic has led to widespread delays in bookings and deliveries, especially in urban and industrial areas.

In Delhi-NCR’s Sahibabad area, several consumers told  that despite booking their LPG cylinder several days in advance, they have still not received delivery. Some alleged that their consumer number shows “delivered,” even though they never actually received the cylinder.

Ramesh, who came to the LPG godown in Sahibabad, said, “I have been coming here for the past seven days. My booking is confirmed, but the cylinder has still not arrived.”

Ramesh is a daily-wage labourer who had come to register a complaint at the Yadu Gas Agency.A dhaba owner in Vaishali said, “Cylinders are being sold in the black market.” He claimed he paid ?35,000 for seven cylinders — roughly ?5,000 per cylinder — which is far higher than the earlier rate of around ?1,800.

The shortage of cooking gas has hit daily-wage labourers and industrial workers the hardest, as they depend on timely fuel for cooking. Due to reduced supply, many are now forced to buy cylinders from the black market.

Industry experts also point to certain structural weaknesses. One gas dealer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that many urban customers who have switched to piped natural gas (PNG) have not surrendered their LPG connections. This allows dealers to divert supply elsewhere and profit from the shortage.