Panic LPG Buying in Maharashtra Creates Massive 1.7 Lakh Cylinder Backlog
Domestic LPG consumers across Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Jalna districts in Maharashtra are placing refill orders in a state of panic, pushing the total pending deliveries to a staggering 1.7 lakh cylinders. This figure is far above the usual daily average of 67,000 bookings and deliveries, creating a severe backlog that has disrupted normal supply chains.
Surge in Bookings Overwhelms Distribution System
Bookings with distributors have suddenly surged to two to five times the normal volume, creating an unprecedented backlog despite deliveries being ramped up by approximately 10%. A senior official from an Oil Marketing Company in the Nashik region confirmed that while there is no actual shortage of domestic LPG, the panic-driven spike has overwhelmed the system.
The official stated: "The combined average bookings of the three firms remained around 67,000 per day, with a similar number of deliveries—ensuring a 24-hour turnaround under normal circumstances. But bookings have now shot up to 1.7 lakh, though deliveries have increased to 74,000 per day."
This sudden increase has stretched delivery timelines dramatically. "The delivery time has increased from 24 hours to at least 150 hours (over six days) despite distributors working extra hours," the official added.
Chaotic Scenes and Long Queues in Sambhajinagar
In the first clear sign of rising panic in Sambhajinagar city, residents on Thursday formed long, winding queues outside LPG distribution agencies, desperate to secure cylinders amid tightening supplies. Across multiple outlets, scenes of chaos unfolded throughout the day as residents complained of hours-long waits for cylinders they had booked days earlier.
Tempers flared, arguments erupted, and in some cases minor scuffles broke out between frustrated customers and agency staff over delays and confusion in distribution. With crowds swelling and tensions rising, the Sambhajinagar district administration sought police deployment at several agencies. Police personnel were stationed outside outlets through the day to manage the rush and prevent any untoward incidents as the LPG crunch deepened.
Many Sambhajinagar residents reported waiting for nearly six hours before finally getting their refill. Kaveri Sangole from Hanuman Nagar said she reached the agency around 10am but did not get her cylinder till 2.30pm. "I stood in the queue for hours before they finally handed it over," she recounted.
Another resident, Swati Shinde, said she had no choice but to endure a six-hour wait. "I cannot afford an extra cylinder, so I had to stand in line no matter how long it took," she explained.
Consumer Experiences Across the Region
Srirang Patil of Rajeev Nagar in Nashik, who usually receives his refill within a day, said he had been waiting since booking on March 7. "I have a double-cylinder connection and placed the order 11 days after switching to the reserve," he said.
Several consumers in Nashik city aren't waiting for their reserve to deplete either. Sandhya Kale, a businesswoman from Nashik Road, said: "A cylinder lasts us around 45 days, but we didn't want to take chances. I booked immediately on March 10 after the in-use cylinder got exhausted."
Some consumers are unable even to book refills. Ramesh Bhalerao of Panchavati said: "I visited both the distributor's office and godown after failing to book online but was denied entry and told to wait."
Official Clarifications and Future Outlook
On allegations that distributors are refusing bookings, the officer clarified that all bookings must be made online with the respective firms. Distributors receive a schedule and can only execute assigned deliveries. "No spot booking or spot delivery is allowed. Any such delivery invites strict action. The product must be home delivered," he emphasized.
The official expects the situation to stabilize soon. "Once panic booking subsides—which is a matter of days—the waiting period will reduce. We believe the picture should change in the next seven days."
Stock Concerns and Broader Impact
In Sambhajinagar, official data indicated that domestic LPG stock might last barely two more days, fuelling anxiety among households over whether the supply chain will hold if disruptions continue. The outlook is even more grim for commercial and industrial users with district records showing commercial LPG stock almost drying up, hitting restaurants, hotels and other establishments hard.
The panic buying phenomenon has exposed vulnerabilities in the distribution system during periods of heightened consumer anxiety, with authorities now working to restore normalcy while managing public concerns about supply security.
