Mumbai Faces LPG Supply Crisis as Bookings Double Amid Panic
Domestic LPG dealer outlets across Mumbai are witnessing an unprecedented surge in daily bookings, with numbers skyrocketing by more than 100% as consumers rush to secure supplies amid fears of an impending shortage. While dealers confirm that domestic LPG supply has not ceased, the delivery pipeline has slowed dramatically, creating a ripple effect of anxiety throughout the city.
Supply Chain Slowdown Sparks Consumer Frenzy
Dealers report that while commercial LPG supply has come to a complete halt, domestic cylinders continue to be distributed. However, the pace has deteriorated significantly. What typically required just two days for delivery now stretches to four or five days, with some cases extending up to a full week. This delay has triggered widespread panic, despite assurances from suppliers.
Outlets that normally processed around 1,000 bookings daily are now overwhelmed with more than 2,000 requests. In Vasai, one agency saw its daily bookings jump to nearly 4,000, a stark increase from the 1,000-1,200 recorded just last week. Many customers are attempting to book cylinders before the mandatory 25-day waiting period after their last delivery, further exacerbating the backlog.
Booking Systems Overwhelmed, Delivery Backlogs Mount
Early Thursday morning, long queues formed at dealer outlets in key areas including Mulund, Bhandup, Ghatkopar, Dadar, Girgaum, Vasai, and Navi Mumbai. Consumers complained that multiple booking channels—IVRS numbers, WhatsApp services, and other digital systems—were either inaccessible or completely unresponsive.
"Nearly one in three customers are reporting failures with online or phone bookings," dealers noted, highlighting the systemic strain.
Businessman Anwar Khan, who visited a Bhandup dealer, shared his frustration: "People are unable to make bookings over the IVRS or any other number, WhatsApp, etc. I have been trying to book a cylinder since yesterday."
Dadar resident Sandeep Mhatre was informed during his dealer visit that delivery could take up to seven days after booking due to the massive backlog. Homemaker Payal Mishra, who visited a Mulund West dealer, revealed she had not received her cylinder despite booking it three days ago.
Dealers Urge Calm Amid Rumors of Shutdown
A dealer from PrasanGas, which supplies BPCL cylinders in Mumbai's eastern suburbs, emphasized that domestic users are being prioritized and urged the public not to believe rumors of a supply shutdown. "There is no stoppage in domestic supply, everyone will get a cylinder, the panic is needless," he stated firmly.
However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Several consumers were turned away at outlets due to the mandatory 25-day gap required for fresh bookings. Some dealers explicitly refused to accept bookings during this interval, leaving families in precarious situations.
One woman, visiting a Mulund dealer with her daughter, expressed her desperation: "My family has no gas left to cook and we fear we will have to turn to kerosene stoves or induction cooking until supplies arrive."
Underlying Factors and Broader Implications
The panic appears to be driven by a combination of slowed deliveries, overwhelmed booking systems, and widespread rumors. While the exact cause of the supply chain slowdown remains unclear, the impact is palpable across Mumbai's households.
This situation underscores the critical importance of reliable LPG supply for daily life and highlights vulnerabilities in the distribution network during periods of high demand or logistical challenges.
