Getting a new domestic LPG connection could take even longer, as gas agencies of Indian Oil’s Indane, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum have reportedly been unable to issue fresh household connections for nearly six months.
The government put new LPG connections on hold in March amid an LPG supply crunch linked to the Hormuz crisis, which emerged following the Iran-US conflict. Since then, people who applied for new connections have reportedly been waiting for around six months.
LPG Supply Crisis Delays New Connections
According to officials from gas companies, the crisis in the Hormuz region disrupted global LPG supplies. Imports of LPG from the United States have also not been sufficient to meet domestic demand.
Officials said LPG shipments arriving through the sea route are currently taking around 43 to 52 days to reach India, further putting pressure on supplies.
Under government directions, existing LPG customers continue to receive cylinders regularly. However, because supplies remain limited, companies are prioritising existing consumers instead of issuing new domestic connections.
Officials said pending applications would be processed once LPG availability returns to normal.
Smaller LPG Cylinders Available — But Expensive
Gas companies have introduced 5-kg and 10-kg transparent LPG cylinders as an alternative for customers who need gas immediately. However, these cylinders are being offered at commercial rates.
Customers can obtain them from their nearest gas agency by submitting an Aadhaar card, identity proof and the required amount.
The current prices mentioned are:
- 10-kg cylinder: ₹4,450
- 5-kg cylinder: ₹1,600
The refill cost is also significant. A refill of the 10-kg cylinder costs ₹1,400, while a 5-kg cylinder refill costs ₹767.
For many ordinary households, these prices can be difficult to afford. With regular domestic connections still unavailable, applicants may have little practical choice other than continuing to wait for the supply situation to improve.
