No shortage: Panic bookings delay LPG deliveries, say Hyderabad LPG Agencies

A sudden surge in panic bookings of LPG cylinders in Hyderabad has extended delivery timelines from one day to nearly three. The Greater Hyderabad Gas Distributors Association (GHGDA) clarified that the backlog is due to artificial demand, not an actual shortage.

Hyderabad: Sudden surge in ‘panic bookings’ of LPG gas cylinders by consumers in Hyderabad has stretched the delivery timelines from one day to nearly three days and even more, in certain areas.

While maintaining that Hyderabad has enough supply of domestic LPG gas, senior officers-bearers of Greater Hyderabad Gas Distributors Association (GHGDA) on Friday, have urged people not to indulge in trying to book a cylinder when it is not needed.

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D Ashok Kumar from Greater Hyderabad Gas Distributors Association (GHGDA) has also urged consumers to remain calm. He made it clear that the current backlog is due to artificial demand rather than a physical shortage of LPG cylinders.

Speaking on the situation, Ashok Kumar, a senior office bearer of the Gas Distributor’s Association, clarified that agencies are currently trying to manage a 2.5-day waiting period.

“Until a few days ago, agencies were delivering refills within a single day. However, bookings have now spiked into thousands at each agency as people are panic-booking out of fear,” Ashok Kumar said.

He pointed out that stocks are being replenished daily and are sufficient to meet the city’s requirements. “There is no need to panic. We are receiving enough stock for our consumers as and when the requirement arises,” he said.

Addressing concerns over quotas and supply gaps, Ashok Kumar pointed out that the average household requirement is well within the government’s allocation.

“The government provides a quota of 12 cylinders to each household per year, yet nearly 90 percent of households utilize only about 8 cylinders annually. The supply is more than enough for everyone if booked rationally.”

The members of the Gas Distributor’s Association have urged consumers of Hyderabad to avoid ‘booking for tomorrow’ if they have sufficient gas for today, as the current rush of orders has become a major bottleneck to ensure prompt delivery.