47 lakh LPG cylinders delivered in a day amid Hormuz blockade, no dry-outs reported
Synopsis
Despite a Strait of Hormuz blockade triggered by the West Asia conflict, India delivered 47 lakh LPG cylinders in a single day with 99% booking fulfilment and zero dry-outs at distributorships. A tanker carrying 46,313 MT of LPG has safely transited the strait and is headed to Visakhapatnam — a key signal that India's cooking gas supply chain is holding, for now.
Key Takeaways
Around 47 lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered on 3 May against bookings of 47.4 lakh , achieving 99% fulfilment .
No dry-outs have been reported at any LPG distributorship across India.
More than 1,900 raids have been conducted to curb LPG hoarding and black marketing.
MT Sarv Shakti , carrying 46,313 MT of LPG, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz and is expected at Visakhapatnam on 13 May .
Since March 2025, 6.04 lakh PNG connections have been gasified; total infrastructure now covers 8.72 lakh connections .
Over 10,100 awareness camps organised since 3 April , selling around 1.75 lakh 5 kg FTL cylinders .
Around 47 lakh domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders were delivered across India on Saturday, 3 May, against bookings of approximately 47.4 lakh cylinders, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The near-complete fulfilment rate signals no supply shortages despite the ongoing military conflict in West Asia and the associated Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Supply Position and Delivery Data
The Petroleum Ministry reported that online LPG cylinder bookings reached 99 per cent fulfilment on an industry basis on Friday. Critically, no dry-outs have been reported at any LPG distributorship across the country, the ministry confirmed. The government stated that all necessary efforts are being undertaken to ensure uninterrupted energy supply, maritime operations, and support to Indian nationals amid the evolving West Asia situation.
Crackdown on Hoarding and Black Marketing
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed that enforcement actions are continuing nationwide to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG. More than 1,900 raids have been conducted across the country as of Friday, according to the government release. The drive is part of a broader effort to ensure equitable distribution of cooking gas at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
PNG Expansion and Awareness Camps
Since March 2025, approximately 6.04 lakh Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections have been gasified, with infrastructure created for an additional 2.68 lakh connections, taking the cumulative total to 8.72 lakh connections. Since 3 April, PSU oil marketing companies have organised more than 10,100 awareness camps, selling around 1.75 lakh 5 kg FTL cylinders. As of Friday, over 3,700 such cylinders were sold through more than 130 camps in a single day.
MT Sarv Shakti Sails Through Strait of Hormuz
In a significant development, the tanker MT Sarv Shakti, carrying 46,313 metric tonnes of LPG, safely sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and is expected to arrive at Visakhapatnam on 13 May with the Indian cooking gas cargo. According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel has 20 crew members onboard, of whom 18 are Indian nationals. The safe transit of the vessel is being viewed as a reassuring signal for India's near-term LPG import pipeline amid the Hormuz disruption.
What to Watch Next
With the MT Sarv Shakti expected to dock at Visakhapatnam by 13 May, the government will be closely monitoring further tanker movements through the Persian Gulf. Any escalation in the West Asia conflict or a tightening of the Hormuz blockade could test India's LPG buffer stocks and supply chain resilience in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But the real stress test has not yet arrived. India imports a significant share of its LPG from West Asia, and a prolonged Hormuz blockade would strain buffer stocks within weeks. The MT Sarv Shakti's safe transit is one data point, not a cleared threat. The 1,900-plus raids on hoarding also hint at ground-level anxiety that official delivery statistics may not fully capture. India's PNG expansion — 8.72 lakh connections and counting — is the structural hedge, but it operates on a timeline measured in years, not the weeks that a supply disruption could compress.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Were there any LPG shortages in India on 3 May 2025?
No. Around 47 lakh LPG cylinders were delivered against bookings of 47.4 lakh, achieving 99% fulfilment, and no dry-outs were reported at any distributorship across India, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
What is the MT Sarv Shakti and why is it significant?
MT Sarv Shakti is a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker carrying 46,313 metric tonnes of LPG destined for India. Its safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz on 3 May is significant because the waterway has been disrupted by the West Asia military conflict, and the vessel's safe passage indicates India's LPG import route remains operational for now.
When will the MT Sarv Shakti arrive in India?
The MT Sarv Shakti is expected to arrive at Visakhapatnam on 13 May with its LPG cargo. The ship has 20 crew members onboard, 18 of whom are Indian nationals.
What action is the government taking against LPG hoarding?
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has been conducting enforcement raids nationwide. As of 2 May, more than 1,900 raids had been carried out to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG amid supply concerns linked to the West Asia conflict.
How is India expanding its PNG network amid the LPG supply concern?
Since March 2025, approximately 6.04 lakh PNG connections have been gasified, with infrastructure created for an additional 2.68 lakh connections, bringing the total to 8.72 lakh connections. This expansion is part of a long-term strategy to reduce dependence on LPG cylinders.
