A shortage of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders has persisted for five days in Punjab’s Pathankot district, leaving residents and businesses scrambling for gas amid new government booking regulations.
For the past five days, residents and business owners across Pathankot district in Punjab have been struggling to access liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, as supply from local gas agencies has dropped sharply. The shortage has brought cooking to a halt in numerous households and forced hotels and restaurants to suspend or significantly curtail their operations.
Gas agencies in the district have reported that 14-kg LPG cylinders — used for both domestic and commercial purposes — have not been restocked for four to five days. Long queues have formed at agency outlets, with more than half of those seeking cylinders returning empty-handed. The situation has created significant hardship for lower-income families who rely on LPG as their primary cooking fuel.
New Booking Rules Compounding the Crisis
The supply disruption has been further complicated by a recent change in government regulations governing LPG distribution. Under the new guidelines, gas cylinders will only be supplied to consumers after an online booking made at least 25 days in advance. Delivery will then be processed based on a DAC (Digital Access Code) issued following the online booking.
Consumers facing issues with their DAC codes are advised to complete their e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) verification at the earliest opportunity. Officials believe that a significant portion of the current shortage is linked to consumers not yet complying with the new digital system.
Middle East Tensions in the Backdrop
The local gas crisis is unfolding against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. While Indian government sources stated on Monday that the country has adequate fuel reserves and supply arrangements, public anxiety over potential disruptions to petrol and diesel supply has grown noticeably.
Petrol and Diesel Remain Stable, For Now
“Indian Oil has sufficient diesel and petrol stocks. There is no shortage in Pathankot or other parts of Punjab. People should not spread false rumours about oil supply disruptions.”
— Paramjit Singh Narula, President, Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Pathankot
Narula acknowledged, however, that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could eventually lead to shortages and price increases in line with international crude oil movements. At present, the government has made no adjustment to domestic petrol and diesel prices.
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