Kanpur Faces LPG Booking Surge as Panic Triggers Backlog, Supply Remains Stable
Kanpur: The domestic LPG gas supply in Kanpur district is operating normally, but a wave of panic booking has created a significant backlog, causing concern among residents. District Supply Officer Rakesh Kumar Singh reported a dramatic spike in cylinder bookings between March 11 and 15, 2025, compared to the same period in 2026, highlighting a nearly threefold increase.
Sharp Rise in Bookings Amidst Unfounded Fears
According to official data, bookings surged from 1,76,722 cylinders in 2025 to 4,90,658 in 2026 over those five days. This escalation is attributed to consumers booking simultaneously due to panic, rather than any supply shortage. Singh emphasized that while booking figures appear inflated, the actual cylinder supply has remained consistent with last year's levels.
"The simultaneous booking by a large number of consumers has made the numbers seem higher, but the supply of cylinders is unchanged from the previous year," Singh stated, addressing the misconception.
Peak Days and Administrative Response
The panic peaked on March 14 and 15, 2026, with 1,01,628 and 1,02,526 bookings recorded respectively—figures far exceeding normal daily averages. Despite this, authorities assure that cylinders are being supplied regularly, with continuous monitoring of gas agencies and supply chains to maintain efficiency.
District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh appealed to the public to disregard rumors and avoid unnecessary panic booking. "An adequate supply of gas cylinders is available in the district, and all consumers are receiving cylinders as per regulations," he affirmed, urging calm and cooperation.
Complaints and Resolution Efforts
A control room established at the district supply office has been active in addressing concerns. On March 16, 2026, it received 75 complaints—57 via landline and 18 via WhatsApp. Of these, 33 complaints were resolved by providing cylinders promptly, while action on the remaining cases is ongoing.
Consumers can register complaints related to LPG gas supply through the following channels:
- Landline: 0512-2988763
- WhatsApp: 6394616122
Officials reiterate that the situation is under control and encourage residents to rely on official information to prevent further backlog from panic-induced bookings.
