Kolhapur Gas Supply: Officials Urge Calm Amid Commercial LPG Suspension
District supply officer Mohini Chavan on Tuesday issued a firm appeal to residents of Kolhapur, urging them to avoid panic and refrain from queuing outside gas agencies based on unverified rumors. Her office is conducting daily inspections and closely monitoring the distribution and availability of both gas cylinders and petrol, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict involving Gulf countries.
Domestic Supply Prioritized Amid Commercial Restrictions
"Domestic gas cylinders have been prioritized and adequate supplies are reaching the district," Chavan stated emphatically. "Citizens should avoid crowding the agencies. Once booked, cylinders will continue to be delivered to homes as per the established rules." However, she confirmed a significant development: the distribution of commercial cylinders used by hotels, restaurants, and foundries has been completely halted.
This suspension stems from India's reliance on gas imports from Qatar, where supply chains have been disrupted by regional conflicts. In response, the Union government has imposed restrictions, leading to the stoppage of commercial LPG distribution while domestic supply continues. To manage demand, firms have extended the booking window to 25 days.
Ground Reality: Long Queues and Hotel Industry Concerns
Despite official assurances, long queues were visibly present outside gas agencies across Kolhapur city on Tuesday. Surekha Chavan, a resident waiting at a Rajarampuri agency, shared her frustration: "I have been calling the agency for the last three days, but its phone is switched off. People are saying there is a shortage, so I came personally. I had booked my cylinder five days ago."
The commercial LPG halt has triggered alarm within the hospitality sector. Hotels and restaurants have warned that prolonged restrictions could force them to revert to firewood-based cooking or even shut down operations entirely. Sachin Shanbhag, president of the Hotel Owners' Association, expressed grave concern: "The Union government's decision has put the hotel industry on ventilator support."
Shanbhag revealed that industry representatives have met with district collector Amol Yedge, requesting rationing of commercial cylinders to at least sustain services for tourists visiting for Goddess Mahalaxmi's darshan. "Events like weddings were planned months in advance. How can we refuse at the last moment? If hotels shut down, how will we pay our staff?" he questioned.
Political Criticism and Governance Questions
MLC Satej Patil, leader of the opposition in the legislative council, launched a sharp critique of the Union government's handling of the situation. "Restrictions on commercial gas usage have hit the common man directly," he asserted. "People might soon have to cook on firepits if this continues."
Patil highlighted contradictory statements from authorities, noting that a Union minister claimed 74% stock availability two months ago, only for it to drop to 24% fifteen days later. "Now oil firms are being told to increase production. But without raw material, how can they? This is a complete governance failure," he concluded.
In Kolhapur district, gas distribution is managed by three major companies: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), which collectively serve 1,191,633 connections. The current crisis underscores the delicate balance between domestic needs and commercial demands amid global supply chain vulnerabilities.
