Amid rumors of an LPG shortage triggered by the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, a sudden rush has been witnessed at several LPG gas agencies in Raipur and across Chhattisgarh over the past few days. The Middle East hostilities have choked crude oil and gas supply routes, leading to announcements of higher domestic and commercial LPG cylinder prices, along with an extension of the domestic LPG booking period from 21 to 25 days sparking panic among consumers. However, the roadside food and tea stalls along with eateries are the most affected with non-availability of LPG refills. Some have already winded-up their business unable to pay abnormal high price in black market. Meanwhile, consumers could be found in long queues outside gas agencies, complaining of delays or non-receipt of DBT essential for purchasing LPG refills. Several consumers arrived at the LPG gas agency carrying empty cylinders hoping to secure refills amid fears of shortage and supply disruption. In Raipur, rumours about gas supplies running out created panic among the public leading to chaos in several localities.

 

Within a short time, a large crowd gathered outside all local LPG agencies as people left their daily work and rushed to refill their cylinders to avoid any potential shortage in the coming days. The panic was largely triggered by messages circulating on social media and local discussions claiming that the hostilities in middle east has severely disrupted gas and crude oil supplies globally. The rumours suggested that because of the middle-east conflict, India will face huge drop in import of LPG. Union Government’s decision to strictly restrict supply of commercial LPG supply and ensuring uninterrupted availability of domestic LPG has strongly hit the commercial sectors like road side eateries, petty tea stalls, hotels as well as industries. President of Chhattisgarh Indane LPG Distributors Association Vikas Markram said, “Holi festival holidays disrupted the normal supply of LPG creating delivery backlog of 4/5 days, the escalation in the war created panic among the consumers.

 

Since oil companied are maintaining normal supplies of LPG, the backlog and fresh bookings is expected to get cleared in next 3/4 days”. He said that the biggest issue is consumers already having refill domestic LPG visiting the distributors for second refill. He clarified that the LPG supply system remains normal and home delivery services will continue as usual. He also appealed all consumers not to panic and follow the new guidelines for timely delivery of LPG cylinders. On the condition of anonymity, a delivery staff of Indane distributor in Devendra Nagar (Raipur) said that many people are directly reaching the warehouse and agency premises which was creating overcrowding and disorder. The unusually large crowd was also making it difficult for delivery vehicles to move out for regular supply to consumers in Raipur city.