Gas ‘crunch’ hits people all across India

Panic reigned in the streets on Friday as a scramble for domestic gas made people queue up across states, eateries shut shop, and reports of hoarding made rounds, even as the Centre insisted there was no shortage of LPG in the country.
The Centre on Friday said uninterrupted LPG supply to households has been ensured, and there is no need for panic booking for cylinders.
Briefing the media, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the domestic production of LPG has already increased by 30 per cent since March 5. “There is no need for panic booking, and there has been no dry out at any LPG dealer,” Sharma added.
LPG bookings have surged to 75.7 lakh against an average of 55.7 lakh in the pre-war period, “showing panic booking”, she said.
All the same, long queues were witnessed outside LPG distribution centres across Bihar despite the district administrations claiming there was no shortage of domestic gas cylinders. People turned up in large numbers at distribution agencies in Patna, Bhagalpur, Rohtas, Katihar and other districts.
The West Asia conflict has impacted the supply of crude oil and petroleum products, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage of water between Iran and Oman.
In many states, people stood with empty LPG cylinders outside gas agency centres – from Kakdwip in the south to Siliguri in the north – claiming that they were not being able to make bookings online.