Delhi Government Unveils Comprehensive Strategy to Address LPG Supply Challenges
The Delhi government announced on Friday the implementation of a multi-tiered strategy, developed in close coordination with the Centre, to ease mounting pressure on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplies across the national capital. The announcement was made during a press conference held by the Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
Urgent Call for Connection Verification and PNG Shift
Additional Commissioner Arun Kumar Jha revealed that Delhi currently has approximately 56 lakh domestic LPG connections. Authorities are urgently appealing to residents to ensure their connections are registered under correct names to prevent potential misuse and diversion of cylinders.
"Wherever PNG connections are available, residents should shift from LPG to PNG," Jha emphasized, noting that the pipeline network has now reached "every village" in Delhi. The government is actively pushing for expanded piped natural gas infrastructure as a sustainable alternative to traditional cylinder-based systems.
Enforcement Crackdown and Monitoring Mechanisms
A dedicated control room has been established to monitor the supply situation and record complaints from citizens. On the enforcement front, authorities have launched a significant crackdown, with at least 100 LPG cylinders seized from Alipur and Bawana areas just on Thursday.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Transport) Milind Mahadeo Dumbere confirmed that 27 cases have been registered in connection with hoarding and illegal diversion activities, though no gas agency or distributor has been formally charged yet. Officials stated that action is being pursued at three distinct levels, with intelligence departments actively involved in the operation.
Surge in Demand and Special Relief Measures
The current crisis has seen LPG bookings surge dramatically to approximately 2 lakh per day, compared to 1.11 lakh on April 1 and the usual average of 1.60 lakh. This increased demand has resulted in reported queues and backlogs in some areas.
In a significant relief measure, migrant laborers can now obtain 5 kg cylinders without requiring regular LPG connections by presenting valid identity proof. Officials noted that before the current supply challenges, around 600 new connections were added daily—a figure that has now skyrocketed to over 1500 daily additions.
Revised Commercial LPG Distribution Policy
The Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs has amended clauses in its commercial LPG cylinder distribution policy for Delhi. According to an order dated April 2, deliveries to commercial and industrial consumers will only be permitted under specific conditions:
- Consumers must be registered with the relevant Oil Marketing Company (OMC)
- In areas with available PNG networks, consumers must have applied for PNG connections with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and completed necessary formalities
- Where PNG coverage is unavailable, an application indicating intent to obtain PNG once the network becomes operational will suffice
For consumers requiring both LPG and PNG connections for specific needs, applications must be submitted to the Additional Commissioner of the Food and Supplies Department for individual consideration.
Reporting Mechanisms and Verification Process
The government has established dedicated helpline numbers (011-23379836 and 8383824659) operational daily between 9 AM and 7 PM for citizens to report suspicious activities related to LPG distribution. Authorities have promised prompt action on all verified complaints received through these channels.
This comprehensive approach represents the Delhi government's coordinated effort to address immediate supply challenges while implementing structural changes to ensure long-term stability in cooking gas distribution across the capital region.
