Patna District Expands 5kg LPG Cylinder Supply Amid Cooking Fuel Shortage
In response to a severe cooking fuel crisis affecting vulnerable populations, the supply of 5kg LPG cylinders has been significantly increased across Patna district. This strategic move aims to ensure that migrant workers and other at-risk groups do not face disruptions in their daily cooking needs during the current shortage.
Official Assurance and Rising Demand
Patna Additional District Magistrate (Supply) Ravindra Kumar Diwakar confirmed that this measure is designed to provide immediate relief. The initiative comes as demand for 5kg cylinders has surged over the past 20 days, driven by a general scarcity in LPG supply that has created substantial delivery backlogs for standard 14kg cylinders.
Nishi Kant, who operates gas agencies in Beur, Gardanibagh, and Anisabad, reported a notable spike in purchases. "Students and small street-side food shop owners are the primary buyers," Kant explained, highlighting that these cylinders require no complicated documentation or address proof, making them accessible to transient populations.
Usage Patterns and Pricing Fluctuations
Many households awaiting 14kg cylinder deliveries are now using 5kg units as a temporary backup to keep their kitchens operational. However, pricing for these cylinders is subject to commercial rate fluctuations, leading to increased costs for consumers.
- First-time purchase prices have risen from Rs 1,515 last month to Rs 1,570 currently.
- Refill costs have increased from Rs 570 in March to Rs 626 at present.
Kant's agencies sold and refilled approximately 25 to 30 units in the past week, with a fresh supply of 48 cylinders received to meet ongoing demand. He assured that all agencies maintain existing stocks and are continuously replenishing supplies.
Challenges and Informal Market Exploitation
Despite government efforts, some workers report facing high informal costs. A househelp shared that she was charged Rs 300 for a single kilogram of gas during a refill, which lasted her family only three days, underscoring the exploitation in the informal market.
A gas agency owner in Kankarbagh expressed dissatisfaction with the focus on 5kg cylinders, arguing that agencies already held significant stock before the crisis. "The priority should be on reducing the backlog for 14kg household cylinders," he stated, noting that 10 to 15 new bookings arrive every hour, adding about 100 people to waiting lists daily.
Migrant Workers' Struggles and Alternative Fuels
He further pointed out that migrant workers are not benefiting from the 5kg units due to price increases, often resorting to cheaper alternatives like coal to save money. This shift highlights the economic pressures faced by low-income groups during the fuel crisis.
Administrative Response and Supply Stability
Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S M, in a recent LPG review meeting, affirmed that LPG supply remains stable across the district. Patna currently serves 1,665,360 consumers through 136 gas agencies, with daily bookings ranging from 25,000 to 30,000 and distribution rates of 30,000 to 35,000 cylinders per day.
Regarding Piped Natural Gas (PNG), the administration is implementing a mission-mode expansion to enhance accessibility. The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) is organising camps to facilitate domestic connections, aiming to provide a long-term solution to fuel needs.
The DM emphasised that there is no shortage of stock and that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are delivering cylinders directly to homes to prevent crowding at agencies, ensuring a safer and more efficient distribution process.
