Flow Meter Shortage Exacerbates Fuel Crisis in Waluj Industrial Area
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a critical shortage of flow meters is severely delaying the provision of new piped gas connections to industries in the Waluj industrial area, prolonging a dire fuel crisis despite existing infrastructure. Petroleum department officials disclosed this issue to state industries minister Uday Samant during a late-night review meeting on Thursday.
Industrial Operations Grind to a Halt
The meeting was convened to assess the crisis triggered by the ongoing commercial LPG supply disruption, which has significantly hampered industrial operations across the region. Several entrepreneurs reported that numerous micro and small-scale units in Waluj were forced to halt operations on Thursday due to the lack of fuel, leaving workers anxious about their livelihoods.
Officials indicated that procuring the necessary flow meters could take up to eight weeks, further delaying relief. Entrepreneurs described the situation as dire, stating they struggle daily to arrange enough fuel to keep factories operational. "Since early morning, we have been searching for gas to ensure production continues," multiple industrialists told the minister.
Government Response and Proposed Solutions
In response, Minister Samant assured that he would escalate the matter to the chief minister and explore possible interventions from both state and central governments. He directed divisional commissioner Jitendra Papalkar and district collector Dileep Swami to hold separate meetings with industries capable of shifting from LPG to natural gas and to develop a roadmap for such transitions where feasible.
During discussions, the option of using compressed biogas (CBG) emerged as a potential solution. Samant suggested bamboo cultivation as a long-term strategy to address fuel shortages, highlighting that the state budget has allocated Rs 50,000 crore for bamboo plantations and related initiatives. He urged entrepreneurs to examine the newly announced bamboo policy and utilise available land for cultivation.
District authorities noted that bamboo plantations have already been established on nearly 1,600 hectares in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, supporting this sustainable approach.
Broader Challenges and Industry Pleas
Officials pointed out that many fuel supply issues fall under the Union government's jurisdiction, and the state government plans to submit a representation to the Union petroleum minister outlining the challenges faced by industries.
Industrialists also sought relief in loan repayments, warning that the fuel crisis has reduced production capacity while raw material prices rise, making it difficult to pay upcoming loan instalments at the end of March without financial concessions.
This multifaceted crisis underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to restore fuel access and explore alternative energy sources like CBG to prevent future disruptions.
