Our Bureau
New Delhi
India’s daily bookings for domestic LPG cylinders have come down to a range of 46 lakh to 50 lakh, marking a clear softening in demand after the recent surge caused by geopolitical tensions and panic buying.
At an inter‑ministerial briefing on developments in West Asia on Friday, Petroleum Ministry Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma said LPG demand is moderating seasonally with the onset of summer. She added that bookings have fallen to the 46–50 lakh level, compared to levels of more than 50 lakh earlier, and that the government expects demand to remain within this band in the coming weeks.
Officials said domestic LPG supply remains stable, with no shortages reported at retail distributor points. State‑run oil marketing companies are continuing to deliver around 50 lakh cylinders every day, and deliveries have even exceeded bookings on several recent days.
Authorities also noted that the sharp rise in bookings, to a peak of about 89 lakh cylinders a day in mid‑March, was largely due to panic refills and hoarding after the West Asia conflict. Since then, bookings have steadily fallen, with daily figures now not only below 50 lakh but also close to pre‑conflict levels.
The government has urged consumers not to indulge in panic booking, saying cooking gas and transport fuels such as petrol and diesel are being kept fully ensured for households.
