Delhi sees LPG panic booking as government enforces 25-day gap rule
Concern about cooking gas supply spread across Delhi on Tuesday. Residents rushed to secure LPG cylinders. Gas agencies received a surge of calls from worried customers. Many households requested early delivery or extra cylinders. The rush started soon after the central government invoked the Essential Commodities Act to safeguard domestic supply during the expanding West Asia conflict.
Officials insisted that LPG supply remains stable. However, consumer anxiety triggered panic booking across several neighbourhoods. Agencies reported constant phone calls and repeated inquiries about cylinder availability.
Government Tightens Booking Rules
The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas introduced a stricter rule on LPG bookings. Authorities now require a minimum gap of 25 days between domestic cylinder bookings. Earlier, customers could place a booking after 21 days.
Officials introduced the change to discourage panic buying. The ministry also aims to prevent hoarding and black-market activity. Authorities believe the longer gap will help maintain balanced supply during global disruptions.
Meanwhile, many residents reacted quickly. Customers rushed to agencies to confirm their bookings. Others tried to secure an additional cylinder for backup. This behaviour intensified pressure on local distributors.
Booking System Faces Technical Issues
Gas agencies in central Delhi reported difficulties with the new system. A representative from Atul Enterprises in Janata Market near Jhandewalan Temple explained the situation. According to him, the booking system now blocks requests that fall inside the 25-day window.
As a result, some customers who placed orders earlier now face delays. The representative said several people booked cylinders three or four days ago. However, the system does not generate delivery slips because of the updated rule. Consequently, agencies struggle to process those requests.
Supply Concerns Emerge in Some Areas
While officials maintain that supply remains adequate, some agencies reported temporary delivery disruptions. A distributor in Kirti Nagar described the challenge. His agency usually receives around 350 cylinders every day from a supplier in Haryana.
However, the agency received no fresh supply on Tuesday. Staff managed the situation by selling leftover stock from Monday. The agency sold more than 320 cylinders during the day. Nevertheless, employees remain uncertain about the next shipment.
Commercial Users Face Bigger Pressure
Restaurants and commercial kitchens face greater uncertainty. Some agencies have stopped supplying commercial cylinders after receiving instructions from authorities.
A distributor in Rajinder Nagar said bookings from households increased sharply. According to him, customers want a spare cylinder at home despite government assurances about adequate supply.
At the same time, restaurants continue to search for alternatives. Many business owners rely heavily on LPG for daily operations. The sudden restrictions therefore create operational pressure.
Calls Flood Agencies Across the City
Gas agencies in Vikaspuri reported a flood of phone calls throughout the day. Managers said restaurants frequently ask about commercial cylinders even after distributors explain the restrictions.
Domestic consumers also try to request multiple cylinders. Agency staff reject those requests because current rules allow only one active booking within the specified period.
Black Market Activity Raises Alarm
Reports of black-market sales have also surfaced. Some distributors claim that unauthorized sellers now offer cylinders at sharply inflated prices.
A tea seller in New Friends Colony confirmed the trend. According to him, the price of a cylinder has jumped dramatically in the informal market. Sellers now demand nearly ₹2,000 for a cylinder that normally costs about ₹1,100.
Restaurants Struggle Without Alternatives
Restaurant owners expressed growing concern. The problem appears particularly serious in areas without piped gas infrastructure. Establishments around Connaught Place rely heavily on LPG cylinders.
Business owners say the situation already affects menu planning. Dishes that require prolonged cooking now consume too much gas. Many restaurants earlier relied on coal-based tandoors. However, environmental rules no longer allow widespread use of coal tandoors in the city.
Consequently, restaurant operators face rising uncertainty about daily operations. Even so, officials continue to assure residents that LPG supply remains sufficient. Authorities urge consumers to avoid panic buying and rely on the regulated distribution system.
