LPG Cylinder Shortage: Karnataka has been facing a severe shortage of commercial LPG since the disruption of the fuel supply began in the Gulf region, following the US-Israel war with Iran. According to the government, the shortage of cylinders is forcing restaurants and related establishments to shut down and impacting a wide cross-section of the public dependent on the hospitality sector in Bengaluru and other cities.
CM Siddaramaiah Steps In
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the Centre to immediately intervene to address a severe shortage of commercial LPG in Bengaluru. The chief minister wrote a letter to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, pointing out a sharp mismatch between demand and supply. Only a fraction of the required cylinders is being made available, he added.
"I request your kind intervention to ensure adequate allocation and availability of commercial LPG and Auto LPG to Karnataka, keeping in view the operational requirements and unique dependency patterns of the State, especially the city of Bengaluru," he said.
"As against the demand of 50,000 LPG cylinders from restaurants, hotels, catering establishments and PG accommodations etc., we are able to supply only 1,000 cylinders per day," he mentioned in his letter.
Which Sectors Are Affected By Shortage Of LPG?
The shortage has led to a visible increase in shutdowns of establishments due to unavailability of commercial LPG, affecting students, IT professionals, farmers, dairy producers and others reliant on the hospitality ecosystem.
How Is State Government Tackling With The Situation?
The state government took several steps to regulate allocation for essential segments in line with the Centre's guidelines, but the situation remains critical, he added. Referring to recent directions from the Ministry prioritising domestic LPG supply, Siddaramaiah said the state government has carried out several measures to deal with the situation.
Karnataka CM Flags Lack Of Monitoring Mechanism
The CM also flagged several loopholes in the mechanism set by the Centre to regularise the supply amid the crisis. He pointed out that the absence of an integrated monitoring system for commercial LPG distribution, in contrast to the existing IT system for domestic gas supply, leads to gaps in transparency and oversight. Auto LPG, a key fuel for autorickshaws that provide last-mile connectivity in Bengaluru, is also facing similar issues due to the lack of a monitoring mechanism, he added.
Noting that India is expected to receive two LPG tankers soon, Siddaramaiah sought the Union Minister's intervention to ensure adequate allocation to Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru, considering its operational needs and dependency patterns.
(With PTI inptus)