58,500 PNG consumers surrender LPG connections; petrol, diesel stocks adequate: Centre
Synopsis
As rumours of fuel shortages circulate, the Centre has pushed back with hard numbers: 58,500 PNG consumers have surrendered LPG connections, deliveries are outpacing bookings, and 10.45 lakh new piped-gas connections have been added since March. Separately, over 3,316 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated from the Persian Gulf in an ongoing operation.
Key Takeaways
More than 58,500 PNG consumers surrendered their LPG connections by 20 May , according to the government.
Online LPG bookings reached approximately 99 per cent on an industry basis; DAC-based deliveries stood at 96 per cent to prevent diversion.
About 1.34 crore LPG cylinders were delivered over the last three days against bookings of 1.32 crore .
Since March , 7.64 lakh PNG connections have been gasified, with total infrastructure covering 10.45 lakh connections ; 7.99 lakh new registrations recorded.
All Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf are safe; 3,316 seafarers repatriated so far, including 99 in the last 72 hours .
The Centre urged citizens to avoid panic purchases of petrol, diesel, and LPG, and to rely on official sources.
More than 58,500 PNG consumers surrendered their LPG connections by 20 May, the government confirmed on Thursday, while also assuring the public that petrol and diesel supplies remain adequate at fuel stations across the country. The Centre urged citizens not to panic-buy fuel or cooking gas amid circulating rumours.
LPG Delivery and Booking Numbers
Online LPG cylinder bookings surged to approximately 99 per cent on an industry-wide basis as of 20 May. The Petroleum Ministry noted that Delivery Authentication Code (DAC)-based deliveries climbed to roughly 96 per cent to curb diversion — the DAC is sent to the consumer's registered mobile number.
Over the last three days, approximately 1.34 crore LPG cylinders were delivered against bookings of around 1.32 crore cylinders. On Wednesday alone, about 47.51 lakh cylinders were delivered against bookings of approximately 45.36 lakh cylinders. Additionally, around 1.87 lakh 5-kg FTL cylinders were sold over the same three-day period.
PNG Infrastructure Expansion
Since March, about 7.64 lakh PNG connections have been gasified, with infrastructure readied for an additional 2.81 lakh connections — bringing the cumulative total to 10.45 lakh connections. Furthermore, approximately 7.99 lakh customers have registered for new PNG connections, signalling sustained demand for piped gas as an alternative to LPG cylinders.
Government Advisory on Panic Buying
The government, during its regular briefing, appealed to citizens to refrain from panic purchases of petrol, diesel, and LPG. 'Beware of rumours and rely on official sources for correct information,' the government stated. Officials emphasised that supply chains remain intact and that all efforts are being made to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel across the country.
Indian Seafarers Safe in Persian Gulf
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways provided a separate update on the maritime situation in the Persian Gulf, confirming that all Indian seafarers in the region are safe. No incident involving Indian-flagged vessels or foreign vessels carrying Indian crew has been reported in the past 72 hours.
The ministry, acting through the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 3,316 Indian seafarers so far, including 99 in the last 72 hours from various locations across the Gulf region. The ministry continues to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, and maritime stakeholders to safeguard seafarer welfare and ensure uninterrupted maritime operations.
The developments come as India manages both domestic energy supply pressures and an evolving geopolitical situation in the Gulf — a critical corridor for the country's oil imports and seafaring workforce.
Point of View
DAC compliance near 96 per cent, PNG additions accelerating — reads as a deliberate counter-narrative to social-media-driven panic. What it does not address is why 58,500 consumers are surrendering PNG connections and reverting to LPG, a reversal of the stated policy direction toward piped gas. That number deserves scrutiny: is it price-driven, reliability-driven, or a seasonal blip? The Persian Gulf seafarer update, bundled into the same briefing, points to a broader anxiety management exercise at a time when India's energy import corridor faces geopolitical stress.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are PNG consumers surrendering their LPG connections?
More than 58,500 PNG consumers surrendered their LPG connections by 20 May, according to the government, though officials did not specify the reasons. The trend runs counter to India's policy push toward piped natural gas as a cleaner, more convenient alternative to LPG cylinders.
Is there a shortage of petrol and diesel in India?
The government has stated that adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available at all petrol pumps across the country as of 21 May. It has urged citizens to avoid panic buying and to rely only on official sources for information.
How many LPG cylinders were delivered in the last three days?
Approximately 1.34 crore LPG cylinders were delivered over the last three days against bookings of around 1.32 crore, according to the Petroleum Ministry. On Wednesday alone, about 47.51 lakh cylinders were delivered against bookings of 45.36 lakh.
What is the Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) for LPG?
The DAC is a verification code sent to a consumer's registered mobile number to authenticate LPG cylinder delivery and prevent diversion. DAC-based deliveries have reached approximately 96 per cent, according to the Petroleum Ministry.
Are Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf safe?
Yes, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf region are safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged or Indian-crewed vessels reported in the past 72 hours. More than 3,316 seafarers have been repatriated so far, including 99 in the last 72 hours.
