Nagpur OMCs Enhance LPG Allocation by 20% to Secure Household Supplies
In a strategic move to avert potential shortages, oil marketing companies (OMCs) operating in Nagpur have significantly ramped up liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies to their local bottling plants. According to industry sources, the allocation has been increased by approximately 20% above the normal quota, ensuring a steady flow of cooking gas to critical sectors.
Priority Given to Domestic and Institutional Consumers
The enhanced supply is exclusively directed toward households, hospitals, and educational institutions, reflecting a focused effort to maintain essential services. However, commercial consumers, including eateries and industrial units, face temporary restrictions. Internal directives from OMCs mandate holding back supplies to the non-domestic sector for the coming days, as confirmed by reliable sources within these companies.
This decision aims to prevent panic buying and ensure equitable distribution amid heightened demand. "Our quota was increased specifically to avoid alarm among domestic users. We have clear instructions to prioritize households, hospitals, and educational institutions," explained a source at one of the bottling plants.
Ample Stock Levels and Operational Stability
OMCs report robust inventory levels, with at least one week's stock available across bottling units, including quantities in transit. A detailed breakdown reveals that storage vessels at plants typically hold three days' worth of LPG, but when accounting for tankers awaiting unloading and those en route, the total stock extends to a full week. "At our plant, if we consider the tankers waiting to be unloaded and those in transit, there is sufficient stock to last a week," noted an OMC insider, adding that similar conditions prevail at other facilities.
Replenishment from terminals to bottling plants continues uninterrupted, providing reassurance to consumers. Sources emphasize that as long as regular replenishment occurs, there is no immediate cause for concern. During a recent meeting with the district supplies department, OMC representatives verbally assured officials of enough stock to last several months, though no written submission was provided.
Nagpur's Bottling Infrastructure and Daily Output
Nagpur hosts bottling plants from all three public sector OMCs: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). These facilities serve not only the city but also the broader region, excluding Buldhana district.
Collectively, the three plants fill around 30,000 LPG cylinders daily. HPCL leads with a daily output of 15,000 cylinders, followed by IOCL at 8,700 cylinders, and BPCL at over 6,200 cylinders. Loose LPG arrives via tankers, where it is processed and filled into cylinders for distribution to both domestic and commercial users.
One bottling plant visited by reporters operates normally, with a storage capacity of 3,500 metric tons (MT) and a daily intake of approximately 700 MT. In terms of consumer reach, HPCL manages over 28 lakh LPG connections across Vidarbha (except Buldhana, which is served from Aurangabad), while IOCL handles 19 lakh connections; BPCL's figures remain undisclosed.
This proactive supply boost underscores OMCs' commitment to stabilizing LPG availability in Nagpur and surrounding areas, particularly for vital domestic and institutional needs, even as commercial sectors await future allocations.
