4 in 10 households report LPG delays last week, some forced to buy on black market: LocalCircles

Hyderabad: As per a LocalCircles survey, over 4 in 10 households experienced LPG delays last week. The survey said that 1 in 10 bought it in the black market, with premiums ranging between Rs 300 and Rs 4,000.

Over the past week, multiple Indian cities have witnessed a surge in consumer complaints regarding LPG supply disruptions, including delays, shortfall, diversion and black marketing.

These issues appear to be linked to broader supply constraints triggered by global disruptions, particularly tensions in West Asia affecting fuel imports.

Telangana Congress MPs in the Parliament, among other Opposition leaders, held the Central government’s ‘negligence and flawed foreign policy’ responsible for the severe gas shortage currently gripping the country. Domestic cylinders reportedly saw a hike of Rs 60, while commercial cylinders increased by Rs 115.

Black market sales

Black marketing has emerged as a major concern.

Banjara Hills Police in the city arrested 10 persons involved in an illegal LPG trade network that stored gas cylinders at a graveyard and sold them to customers at inflated prices. Police seized 414 cylinders and 11 vehicles, with the total value estimated at Rs 21.88 lakh.

In Pune and parts of Tamil Nadu, cylinders were reportedly sold at highly inflated prices, several times the official rate. Cases of delivery personnel diverting subsidised cylinders for illegal sale have also been reported, pointing to systemic leakages in the supply chain.

Overall, the past week reflects a combination of supply constraints, logistical inefficiencies and malpractice at the distribution level. While the government maintains there is no nationwide shortage, the persistence of local disruptions underscores the need for stricter monitoring and improved last-mile delivery systems. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar assured the public that there is no scarcity of petrol or diesel and urged citizens not to panic.

Taking note of the rise in consumer complaints on its platform, LocalCircles said it has conducted a nationwide survey to find out the percentage of households facing delays and the extra amount they had to pay to get a cooking gas cylinder on time.

43% households experience LPG delays in one week

The survey first asked consumers, “In the last 7 days, have you faced any difficulty in booking or receiving a domestic LPG cylinder?” Out of 20,179 consumers who responded to the question 31% indicated that they had “no difficulty- booking and delivery normal”; 13% of respondents indicated that they have “just not been able to submit the booking when needed”; 22% of respondents indicated that they “had to wait longer than usual for receipt/delivery”; 8% of respondents indicated that they “had to buy LPG cylinder from black market at higher price”; 18% of respondents indicated that they “just simply could not get a LPG cylinder”; and 8% of respondents did not give a clear answer. To sum up, 43% of household consumers surveyed report experiencing LPG delays in the last week; 8% of them bought in the black market.

72% households say suppliers/middlemen are charging up to Rs 4,000 extra per cylinder

The survey next asked consumers, “If you or someone in your neighbourhood had to buy LPG outside the official system from the black market, how much extra was charged per cylinder?” Out of 20,523 consumers who responded to the question 16% indicated that some of the consumers had to pay “Rs 300- 500 extra per cylinder”; 10% of respondents indicated that up to “Rs 500- 1,000 extra per cylinder” was paid; 23% of respondents indicated that up to “Rs 1,000- 2,000 extra per cylinder” was paid; 23% of respondents indicated that “Rs 2,000-4,000 extra per cylinder” was paid; 6% of respondents indicated that “over Rs 4,000 extra per cylinder” was paid; and 22% of respondents did not give a clear answer.

To sum up, 72% household consumers surveyed who are aware of LPG black marketing in their area say suppliers/middlemen are charging anywhere between Rs 300 and Rs 4,000 extra per cylinder.

While government and oil companies have been reassuring consumers that there is no need to panic as supplies of domestic LPG are adequate and can be booked online for timely delivery, the fear factor knows no reason; there appears to be an ongoing effort by some consumers to have more LPG cylinders on standby. Authorities need to step up vigilance to check the black marketing of LPG cylinders.

Extent of survey

The survey received over 40,000 responses from household consumers located in 311 districts of India; 61 per cent of respondents were men, while 39 per cent of respondents were women; 45 per cent of respondents were from tier 1, 33 per cent from tier 2 and 22 per cent of respondents were from tier 3, 4 & 5 districts.