Chhattisgarh Government Reviews Fuel Supply Amid Distribution Challenges
The Chhattisgarh government conducted a comprehensive review of the availability and distribution of LPG, diesel, and petrol across the state on Wednesday. Officials issued directives for close monitoring of supply chains while reassuring residents that domestic cooking gas and petroleum stocks remain sufficient to meet demand.
Official Reassurance Versus Ground Realities
This review has highlighted a growing disparity between official assurances and reports from the field, with complaints emerging from multiple districts regarding delayed bookings, disrupted commercial supply, and suspected black-marketing activities. The issue gained prominence following a meeting chaired by Food Secretary Reena Baba Saheb Kangale, where representatives from oil companies provided detailed briefings on fuel availability and distribution mechanisms.
According to state authorities, all five LPG bottling plants in Chhattisgarh maintain adequate stock levels, and domestic LPG supply continues to operate normally. The government has established a toll-free helpline—1800-233-3663—for consumers experiencing supply-related difficulties, aiming to address concerns promptly and efficiently.
Commercial LPG Restrictions and Essential Services
During the meeting, officials clarified that commercial LPG cylinders are currently being supplied exclusively to essential institutions, including hospitals and educational establishments. Kangale emphasized that schools, hostels, and other educational institutions must receive cylinders without interruption, particularly with examinations underway.
She also indicated that the possibility of allocating approximately 15% of commercial supply to hotels and similar establishments could be considered. This measure aims to ensure that essential services linked to food supply are not severely impacted by ongoing restrictions.
Crackdown on Misuse and Illegal Activities
The state government has directed district administrations to intensify efforts against the misuse of domestic cylinders and illegal refilling operations. Authorities warned of strict action under the Essential Commodities Act in cases of irregularities or black-marketing, underscoring the commitment to maintaining fair distribution practices.
Officials reiterated that there is no shortage of LPG, diesel, or petrol in Chhattisgarh and appealed to consumers to avoid panic buying or hoarding, which could exacerbate supply chain pressures.
District-Specific Challenges and Consumer Struggles
Despite government assurances, pressure has mounted in several districts, revealing operational challenges. In Bilaspur, Collector Sanjay Agrawal reviewed the local situation, noting that the district serves approximately 4.8 lakh domestic LPG connections through 38 distributors from three oil companies. Nearly 5,000 cylinders have been distributed daily over the past ten days, though the booking interval has extended from 21 to 25 days.
Complaints intensified in Bilaspur as consumers faced difficulties booking domestic cylinders. Authorities launched a crackdown on alleged black-marketing, seizing 75 cylinders from a shop in the Sarkanda area. During a raid near Mahamaya Chowk, the food department recovered 72 domestic and three commercial cylinders from a gas refilling shop. Consumers reported being forced to make repeated visits to agencies in extreme heat due to server problems disrupting booking and OTP generation processes.
In Durg, the district administration affirmed adequate stocks of domestic LPG, diesel, and petrol, with supply continuing normally. Officials noted that Durg has around 4 lakh gas connections, including those under the Ujjwala scheme, with nearly 9,750 cylinder refills conducted daily. However, on the ground, several consumers stated they had been attempting to book cylinders for up to 15 days without success.
Commercial Sector Strain and Adaptation Measures
The stress appears more visible in the commercial segment in Surguja. Hotel operators in Ambikapur reported that the absence of commercial cylinders has compelled some establishments to temporarily switch to wood-fired furnaces for cooking and sweets preparation.
The Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association issued an advisory to its members, urging them not to panic. The association acknowledged that there is no immediate crisis but recommended that hotels, caterers, cloud kitchens, and other food businesses avoid panic buying, prioritize core kitchen operations, and explore alternatives such as electric cooking equipment, PNG, bulk LPG storage, and hybrid kitchen systems if commercial supply disruptions persist.
This situation underscores the complex balance between maintaining fuel supply stability and addressing operational hurdles in distribution networks across Chhattisgarh.
