Kamal Ghorui
The government has stepped up LPG supply across the country and urged consumers to avoid panic buying amid concerns over disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, PTI reported on Sunday.Sale of small 5-kg LPG cylinders, available over the counter at distributorships on valid ID proof, has been ramped up to meet demand. These market-priced cylinders do not require address proof unlike subsidised 14.2-kg domestic cylinders.“Yesterday (April 4), more than 90,000, 5Kg FTL cylinders were sold. Since March 23, 2026, about 6.6 lakh, 5 Kg FTL cylinders have been sold,” the oil ministry said in a statement.The ministry said there are no reports of shortages at distributor points, with more than 51 lakh domestic cylinders delivered in a single day. Online bookings accounted for 95% of total demand.Authorities have intensified enforcement against hoarding and black marketing, seizing over 50,000 cylinders since March and issuing more than 1,400 show-cause notices to LPG distributors. So far, 36 dealerships have been suspended.The government has prioritised supply of domestic LPG and piped natural gas (PNG), especially for households and essential services such as hospitals and educational institutions. Refinery output has been increased, while demand is being managed by extending LPG refill intervals.Commercial LPG supplies have been capped at 70% of pre-crisis levels, with wider availability of smaller cylinders aimed at easing pressure.On the natural gas front, full supplies are being maintained for households and transport, while supplies to fertiliser plants are set to rise to around 90% of average consumption from April 6, backed by incoming LNG cargoes.All refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, and petrol pumps remain fully stocked nationwide, the ministry said, reiterating its advice to rely on official information and avoid panic buying.
