India government urges states to prevent LPG hoarding amid supply rumours

New Delhi: Reports of gas supply disruptions are not only in Delhi-NCR, but also in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, the Northeast, and the South. Many states have suspended the supply of commercial gas cylinders, forcing restaurants and hotels to close. Due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz have been disrupted, forcing people to make do with stoves, tandoors, and ovens.

• Amid complaints of customer queues and calls to oil marketing companies' phone numbers failing to connect, the government on Wednesday stated that domestic LPG cylinders typically arrive within two and a half days of booking, so if a cylinder is booked, it will be delivered within two and a half days. There is no need to panic about booking cylinders due to rumors.

• On Wednesday, the Home Secretary held a meeting with the Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police (DGPs) of states and union territories and urged them to prevent hoarding and black marketing. The government also held a joint briefing with officials from the Ministry of Oil and Gas, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Shipping.

• Meanwhile, sources from the Delhi Restaurant Association stated that many restaurants are on the verge of closure due to the lack of gas. Most have only a day's stock. Some restaurants in Paharganj and Karol Bagh have also been reported to have closed.

Government Says Supply Completely Normal

The supply of LPG, petrol, diesel, and PNG in Delhi is completely normal, with no shortages. The government has appealed to the public to ignore rumors regarding gas supply and avoid unnecessary panic or hoarding. On Wednesday, an important meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary of Delhi with senior officials from the Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Delhi Police, Revenue Department, Indraprastha Gas Limited, and various oil companies.

In the meeting, Indraprastha Gas Limited officials stated that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, issued an order on March 9, 2026. This order provides necessary guidelines for ensuring the supply, fair and equitable distribution, and availability of domestic PNG and CNG for priority sectors.

There is no shortage of PNG for domestic use in Delhi. Furthermore, by re-aligning priorities, uninterrupted gas supply has been regularized to approximately 0% of industrial areas.