Hyderabad: Hyderabad residents reported delays of up to two to three weeks in receiving domestic LPG cylinders, even as authorities maintained stocks were sufficient to meet demand.
Queues were observed at several LPG agencies, with consumers arriving with empty cylinders and looking for spare parts, and black marketing of commercial cylinders continued to be reported.
An anxious mold maker, MA Hafeez, who was standing outside an LPG distributor in Musheerabad with an empty cylinder, said uncertainty had added to supply concerns. “After several days of delay, my wife told me to ensure that I receive the cylinder before the gas in the functional cylinder ran out. There was no other option as the family was getting anxious amid rumors of continued shortage of supply,” said MA Hafeez at an agency in Musheerabad.
As on April 16, the domestic price of LPG in Hyderabad was Rs 965 for a 14.2 kg cylinder and Rs 335.50 for a 5 kg cylinder. Commercial LPG cylinders were priced at Rs 2,320.50 for 19 kg and Rs 4,900.50 for 47.5 kg.
Despite surveillance measures, black marketing of commercial cylinders persisted, with some sellers claiming that they were sold at almost double the official price. While many restaurants and street food vendors have already switched to induction hobs or use kerosene for cooking, others have continued to use commercial LPG.
“Despite the government’s assurances of resolving the issues, we are paying Rs 4,500 for a commercial cylinder, the official price of which is Rs 2,000. The only saving grace is that the black market price is Rs 500 less than what we paid in March, which was by far the worst month for food vendors like us,” said Ganesh, a tea seller in Secunderabad.
However, authorities said the situation was improving, citing official figures showing a six-day delay in domestic LPG delivery, compared with more than eight days in the previous month.
“We have overcome the problem of delay. There may be some cases or places where it will be delayed as the entire logistical problem is being resolved. We once again reiterate that people should not panic as we have enough stock and the situation is under control,” said a coordination official between the state and oil marketing companies.
