LPG plight deepens in Punjab as demand-supply gap widens amid global energy crisis
PTC News Desk: LPG crisis appears to be deepening in Punjab amid global oil crisis. The demand for coking gas has increased while supply continues to decline, leaving consumers hang in balance while and pushing businesses to seek alternative fuel sources.
According to the data, the state currently has over 90 lakh LPG connections, but average monthly supply over the past two months has been only about 27 lakh refills.
A significant increase in the consumer demand has been recorded due to seasonal requirement and panic buying.
Several eateries in Ludhiana and Amritsar have shifted to wood-fired stoves, induction or diesel burner to continue with the operations. With the non-availability of commercial stocks, distributors are facing growing anger from the customers with confrontations at the gas agencies.
The Federation of LPG Distributors of Punjab has termed the ongoing situation a “manufactured crisis.”
Federation president Gurpal Singh Mann alleged that bottling plants were operating below capacity and suggested that the shortage may be linked to efforts to push consumers toward piped natural gas.
Officials from Indian Oil Corporation declined to comment. However, a senior functionary acknowledged that panic booking had worsened the situation.
Dealers have warned that a widening supply gap could lead to severe LPG shortages if the issue is not addressed promptly.
- PTC NEWS
