LPG Refill Bookings Plummet in April, Alleviating Supply Concerns
Domestic LPG refill bookings have experienced a significant decline, dropping to approximately 43-44 lakh cylinders in April from a peak of about 89 lakh in mid-March. This reduction has effectively eased pressure on cooking gas supplies across the nation, according to reports from Atul Mathur.
Government Data Reveals Steady Decline in Bookings
Detailed government data indicates that refill bookings have consistently remained below the 50 lakh cylinders mark since April 3. The numbers fell further to a low of 35 lakh on April 12. During this period, oil marketing companies managed to supply close to 50 lakh cylinders daily, with the exception of Sundays when deliveries were limited to 30.7 lakh cylinders.
Between April 1 and April 14, a total of 658 lakh cylinders were booked, while 652 lakh cylinders were successfully delivered to consumers. This near-balance between bookings and deliveries highlights the stabilization of the supply chain after recent disruptions.
Panic Bookings During West Asia Conflict
The surge in bookings earlier in March was primarily triggered by fears of shortages during the peak of the West Asia conflict. Energy flows were severely disrupted due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, leading to widespread panic among consumers.
From an average daily booking of 57 lakh cylinders, the numbers skyrocketed to 88.8 lakh on March 13, reflecting intense panic behavior. In response, the government implemented measures to discourage unnecessary orders by increasing the minimum gap for refills from 15 days to 21 days, and subsequently to 25 days.
Normalization of Domestic LPG Supply
Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Petroleum Ministry, provided reassurance regarding the current state of domestic LPG supply. "Bookings vary on a daily basis, but on average they are now between 50-55 lakh cylinders per day. Domestic LPG supply has returned to normal, and no instances of dry-out have been reported," she stated.
This normalization is a positive development, especially when compared to the pre-crisis period when the average daily demand for domestic LPG stood at 55 lakh cylinders. The recent data suggests that supply chains are now operating efficiently, meeting consumer needs without significant delays or shortages.
