LPG Consumption Declines Seasonally, Supply Remains Stable: Government

The demand for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country has declined with the onset of the summer season, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Officials stated that such a trend is observed every year during warmer months. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Refineries) in the ministry, said on Friday that LPG bookings have already started to decrease. While bookings earlier used to exceed 5 million, they have now come down to a range of 4.6 million to 5 million. She noted that this seasonal dip is a regular occurrence during summers. Despite the reduced demand, the government has assured citizens that domestic supply remains stable. Sharma emphasized that there have been no reports of shortages at the distributor level, and LPG supply is continuing as usual across the country. She further stated that petrol and diesel stocks are sufficient to meet demand, and there is no cause for concern regarding fuel availability. Domestic LPG production remains steady, ranging between 46,000 and 50,000 metric tonnes. Providing additional details, Sharma said that oil refineries across the country are operating at full capacity and that crude oil reserves are adequate. She also highlighted that the sale of auto LPG has increased in states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Rajasthan, and West Bengal. The government is also expanding the pipeline network for Piped Natural Gas (PNG) at a rapid pace to reduce dependence on LPG. Appealing to the public, Sharma urged people not to believe in rumors regarding any shortage of fuel or gas and advised consumers to purchase only as per their actual requirements.