Bihar Government Denies LPG Shortage Amid Widespread Reports of Crisis
The Bihar government made a firm declaration on Thursday, asserting that there is absolutely no shortage of LPG, piped gas, petrol, or diesel anywhere within the state. This official statement came following a high-level review meeting chaired by Development Commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh, which included representatives from major oil and gas companies.
Official Assurance Versus Ground Reality
Despite the government's strong assurance, the ground reality across Bihar presented a starkly different picture. Citizens were observed waiting in extensive queues outside gas agencies throughout the state to refill their LPG cylinders. Simultaneously, hostel operators in Patna voiced serious complaints about extreme difficulties in obtaining cylinders, compelling them to explore alternative methods to keep their kitchens operational.
Officials emphasized that domestic LPG supply remains normal across Bihar, with petrol and diesel supplies continuing without interruption. They clarified that hospitals and educational institutions would remain fully exempt from any precautionary restrictions placed on commercial gas supply.
Technical Issues and Distribution Measures
During the review meeting, oil and gas company representatives informed the government that there was no disruption in gas supply in any part of Bihar and that adequate stock was available. Officials revealed that nearly 98% of the state's total gas supply consists of domestic LPG cylinders, while less than 2% is allocated for commercial use. As a precautionary measure in the current situation, commercial gas supply has been intentionally limited.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) acknowledged that some consumers had been facing difficulty receiving OTPs for gas delivery due to heavy server load. To address this technical issue, the company decided to remove the OTP requirement for cylinder delivery entirely. Additionally, all District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police have been instructed to take immediate and strict action against any reported cases of gas hoarding or black-marketing. Gas distributors will also be rotated from one area to another every four to five days to ensure smooth and equitable distribution.
Hostel Operators Forced to Adapt Amid Supply Constraints
Despite these official measures and assurances, hostel operators in Patna reported that delivery delays and restricted commercial supplies were severely affecting their daily operations. With a mandated 25-day gap now required between bookings or deliveries for non-priority users, many establishments serving large numbers of residents said their kitchens were under immense pressure.
Charanjeet Chawla, who operates a G+4 hostel housing approximately 150 girl students at Naya Tola, explained that her kitchen normally required 12-13 cylinders each month. "Now we have commissioned a coal stove, which we will start using tonight," she stated on Thursday.
Shivam Sharma, who manages four hostels on Boring Road and Boring Canal Road accommodating about 300 boarders, said they had already reduced meal services. "For now, we have informed residents that instead of three meals daily, they will receive meals only twice. Beyond that, we will assess as the situation develops," he explained. Sharma mentioned they managed to obtain just one cylinder on Thursday, which would last only two days. "There are absolutely no cylinders in stock. If the crisis worsens, our fallback is clear. We have no other choice but to switch to coal," he added.
Dr. Coomar Arunodaya, vice-chairman of Krishna Niketan and Patna Central School, noted that both institutions together had about 10 days' LPG stock for nearly 400 hostel students. "Traditional cooking methods like coal or wood arrangements will have to be implemented. Mass-level cooking is not feasible with induction stoves," he remarked.
Widespread Consumer Difficulties
Students residing in lodges and hotels also reported significant difficulty in obtaining cylinders. One student recounted visiting five gas agencies without success, even when offering higher prices. "I am prepared to pay Rs 300 per kg for gas, but there are still no sellers in the market. We are facing a serious problem," he said, adding that he had been purchasing food from hotels since Wednesday afternoon due to the shortage.
The situation highlights a growing disconnect between official statements and the lived experiences of Bihar residents, particularly those dependent on commercial LPG supplies for daily sustenance and operations.
