Domestic LPG Supply Unaffected in Noida and Ghaziabad Amid Commercial Restrictions
Officials in Noida and Ghaziabad have confirmed that there is no disruption in domestic LPG cylinder supply for households, even as the Centre has halted supply to commercial establishments. This move comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which have prompted strategic adjustments in fuel distribution.
Supply Priorities and Booking Adjustments
Authorities clarified that while the minimum waiting period for booking a domestic LPG cylinder refill has been increased from 21 to 25 days, consumers continue to receive cylinders normally. Any supply constraints are strictly limited to a small segment of commercial establishments. According to officials, domestic households constitute the vast majority of LPG users in both districts.
Noida has approximately 10 lakh LPG connections, and Ghaziabad has 12 lakh. Of these, roughly 8,000 in Noida and around 15,000 in Ghaziabad fall under the commercial category. Smriti Gautam, acting district supply officer for Noida, emphasized that the current disruption is confined to commercial LPG usage, primarily affecting restaurants and cloud kitchens.
"Even within the commercial category, essential services such as hostels, college canteens, and hospitals will not face any disruption," she stated.
Official Directives and Committee Formation
Ghaziabad district supply officer Amit Tiwari reported that authorities have issued directions to the 95 LPG distribution agencies operating in the district to ensure domestic consumers do not face inconvenience. "We held a meeting with all gas agency operators and directed them to ensure that no household consumer is denied a cylinder once their booking cycle is completed," he explained.
Similar instructions have been issued to 64 LPG gas agencies in Noida. In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas outlined its prioritization strategy. The ministry has prioritized domestic LPG supply to households and introduced a 25-day inter-booking period to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
Non-domestic supplies from imported LPG are being prioritized for essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions. To review requests from other commercial users, the ministry has constituted a committee of three executive directors from Oil Marketing Companies. This committee will examine representations seeking LPG supply for restaurants, hotels, and other industries.
As a result, LPG cylinders are currently not being supplied to several non-essential commercial and industrial establishments, including restaurants, hotels, and heat-processing units.
PNG and CNG Supply Stability
Authorities also noted that the supply of PNG and CNG remains stable. While Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) recently issued an advisory to industrial and commercial consumers, asking them to prepare for possible fluctuations and make alternative arrangements if needed, officials confirmed that PNG supply in the region has continued without interruption so far.
Both districts have nearly four lakh piped natural gas (PNG) connections each, with only about 1,000 in each classified as commercial. The gas supply network in western Uttar Pradesh is connected to the Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur pipeline operated by GAIL (India) Limited.
This pipeline originates in Gujarat and runs through Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh before reaching eastern India, forming the backbone of natural gas distribution in the region.
LPG Distribution Infrastructure
For LPG distribution, major bottling facilities serving Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar are located in Loni. These include plants operated by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited at Tilla Shahbajpur, as well as an Indane bottling plant run by Indian Oil Corporation Limited at Banthla.
Officials assured that there is no shortage at the moment, and the infrastructure is capable of meeting domestic demand efficiently. The strategic measures are designed to balance supply amid external pressures while safeguarding household needs.
