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.

On Wednesday, a new policy was issued that aims to stop LPG supply to households in areas where PNG infrastructure is available but has not been adopted.

The government has also claimed that it is intensifying action against black marketing. Joint Secretary in the Petroleum Ministry, Sujata Sharma, told reporters that nearly 12,000 raids have been conducted in recent days, resulting in the seizure of around 15,000 LPG cylinders.

These measures come in response to global supply disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.Meanwhile, rumours about longer waiting periods for LPG refills are spreading rapidly on social media and messaging platforms. Some claims suggested that the booking gap for certain categories of consumers has been increased to 45 days.

However, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has categorically dismissed these reports as rumours. The ministry stated that there has been no change in the existing refill booking timeline and described the claims as “false and misleading.”

Meanwhile, the opposition has intensified its attack on the government, accusing it of focusing more on perception management than on resolving the crisis.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “The government is worried about headlines, not about solutions.” He added, “What is the country’s priority today? It is that no one should have to stand in line for a gas cylinder or buy it from the black market. But the government has nothing to do with any of this. Its priority is clear — diverting the country’s attention towards managing headlines.”

Opposition MPs also staged protests in Parliament, expressing concern over the growing fuel shortage and alleged black marketing.

As the crisis continues to deepen, an important question is echoing among consumers: Why did the government fail to anticipate the shortage in time and curb black marketing? And why were preventive measures not taken earlier?