Kolkata Faces Stricter LPG Booking Norms Amid Global Energy Disruptions
Oil marketing companies in Kolkata have significantly tightened LPG refill booking regulations as ongoing global energy disruptions, triggered by the West Asia conflict, continue to impact fuel supply chains across India. The revised instructions mandate that LPG distributors in the state must not accept refill bookings from customers who have not ordered a cylinder for more than nine months unless they complete mandatory KYC verification procedures.
New KYC Requirements for Inactive Connections
Under the new guidelines, customers whose LPG connections have remained inactive for over nine months are now required to visit their distributor's office in person to complete KYC formalities before they can book a refill cylinder. Distributor sources confirm that this measure aims to streamline distribution and prevent irregular usage while managing the demand-supply imbalance that has emerged in recent weeks.
A distributor explained: "Distributors were instructed not to process refill bookings for such customers unless they completed physical KYC verification. In the past few days, we received booking requests from consumers who did not order LPG cylinders for over one year."
Consumer Challenges and Distribution Issues
Despite a slight improvement in supply conditions, many consumers continue to face difficulties accessing LPG refills. Long queues were reported outside distributor offices in Kolkata on Monday, with customers arriving either to complete KYC compliance or to place bookings manually. Many consumers still find it challenging to use automated booking systems such as Interactive Voice Response Systems (IVRS) or mobile applications, preferring instead to visit dealer counters directly.
Another distributor noted: "Some customers are unfamiliar with digital booking systems. They still come to the office to place refill requests or to update their KYC details."
Improving Delivery Timelines and Supply Coordination
Cylinder delivery timelines, which had stretched to eight to nine days last week, have now reduced to five to six days in many parts of the city. Industry officials attribute this improvement to better supply coordination and additional regulatory measures introduced by oil companies. These efforts are helping to alleviate some of the pressure on the distribution network.
Future Policy Changes for PNG Households
Another significant development involves households that already have access to Piped Natural Gas (PNG). Oil companies have indicated that LPG connections in households where PNG pipelines are available may be suspended in the future. Officials state that this policy will help redistribute LPG supplies to regions where PNG infrastructure has not yet expanded, ensuring more equitable distribution across different areas.
The tightening of LPG booking norms in Kolkata reflects broader efforts to manage fuel supply chains amid global disruptions, with authorities focusing on verification and distribution efficiency to meet consumer needs during this challenging period.
