Indian Oil Corporation Implements Cylinder Portability to Tackle LPG Delivery Delays
In a significant move to address persistent delivery delays and enhance consumer satisfaction, oil marketing companies (OMCs), spearheaded by the Indian Oil Corporation, have initiated a redistribution system for domestic LPG bookings. This innovative approach, officially termed cylinder portability, dynamically reassigns bookings from underperforming distributors to more efficient ones, all without requiring customers to switch their registered dealer.
Addressing Performance Disparities Among Distributors
A senior IOC official revealed that internal assessments uncovered substantial variations in delivery timelines across distributors. "Some distributors take significantly longer than others. We've decided to dynamically reassign bookings so that customers receive cylinders faster," he explained. In West Bengal, where there are approximately 1,500 LPG distributors, 60 to 70 are identified as underperformers and are being temporarily bypassed in favor of better-performing counterparts.
An OMC official emphasized the seamless nature of the intervention: "We are channelling bookings to efficient distributors for faster delivery. Users do not have to do anything — changes are being handled from our end. Our aim is to infuse efficiency into the system."
Triggered by a Surge in Demand and Technical Disruptions
The redistribution initiative follows a sharp spike in LPG bookings between March 7 and March 11, driven by panic ordering. Industry data indicates that average daily bookings more than doubled, jumping from around 2.5 lakh to 5.9 lakh during this period. This unprecedented rush led to technical disruptions, with mobile apps of multiple OMCs briefly crashing under heavy traffic.
Distributors reported that the aftermath of this surge continues to impact operations. A distributor associated with Bharat Petroleum's Bharat Gas stated, "We are struggling to clear the backlog created during those days. With existing manpower, it takes nearly two to three days to clear a day's backlog. As a result, there is still a gap of six to seven days between booking and delivery."
Persistent Mismatch Between Supply and Demand
OMC officials confirmed that while LPG supply has largely normalized, a mismatch persists. An official at a leading oil company noted, "At present, about 4.5 lakh domestic LPG cylinders are being supplied a day but bookings remain higher. There is still a daily gap of around 15,000-20,000 cylinders between bookings and deliveries, which is why delays continue in certain areas."
Consumer and Distributor Perspectives
Consumers in Kolkata have welcomed the intervention, though many express frustration over prolonged delays. Ananya Sen, a resident, shared, "I booked my cylinder over a week ago and had to follow up multiple times. If this new system ensures quicker delivery, it will be a big relief." Echoing this sentiment, Rajesh Gupta from Salkia, Howrah, added, "We don't mind which distributor delivers it. We just need it on time."
However, distributors highlight that while the temporary portability mechanism provides short-term relief, structural challenges remain. A dealer pointed out, "Efficient distributors are now handling additional load, which is not easy. But once the backlog is cleared, deliveries should return to schedule."
Optimism for Stabilization
OMC officials remain optimistic about the situation stabilizing soon. An official reiterated, "There is no shortage of LPG supply overall. The delays are largely due to operational bottlenecks in some pockets, which we are addressing." This proactive measure aims to streamline LPG distribution, ensuring timely deliveries and reducing consumer inconvenience across Kolkata and potentially other regions.
