LPG online bookings hit 99% amid Strait of Hormuz closure, supply normal
Synopsis
Despite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the escalating West Asia crisis, India's domestic LPG supply is holding steady — online bookings have hit 99%, 1,570 anti-hoarding raids were conducted in a single day, and petrol-diesel prices remain untouched. The government's coordinated response, from authentication-based deliveries to PNG expansion, signals a deliberate effort to prevent panic from translating into a real supply crunch.
Key Takeaways
LPG online bookings reached 99% on Sunday with no dry-outs reported at any retail distributorship.
Authentication-code-based deliveries have risen to 94% to prevent diversion at distributor level.
Over 23.58 lakh small 5 kg cylinders sold to migrant labourers from 1 April 2025 to date.
More than 1,570 raids conducted on Sunday; 74 LPG distributorships suspended and 349 penalised.
Petrol and diesel retail prices remain unchanged despite global crude oil spike linked to the West Asia crisis .
Over 43,760 PNG consumers have surrendered LPG connections via MYPNGD.in , easing demand pressure.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Monday, 5 May confirmed that domestic LPG supply remains normal, with online bookings for cooking gas reaching 99% on Sunday and no dry-outs reported at any retail distributorship across the country — despite ongoing disruptions linked to the West Asia crisis and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Booking and Delivery Trends
Authentication-code-based LPG deliveries — where consumers receive a one-time code on their registered mobile number before cylinder handover — have risen to approximately 94%, a measure specifically designed to prevent diversion at the distributor level. The ministry noted that more than 23.58 lakh small 5 kg LPG cylinders, primarily used by migrant labourers, were sold between 1 April and the date of the statement.
PNG Expansion and New Connections
On the piped natural gas front, about 6.12 lakh PNG connections have been gasified, with infrastructure readied for an additional 2.67 lakh connections. Approximately 6.79 lakh customers have registered for new PNG connections since March 2025. Notably, over 43,760 PNG consumers have voluntarily surrendered their LPG connections through the MYPNGD.in website until Thursday, which the ministry said will help ease pressure on LPG demand.
Fuel Prices and Petrol Pump Stocks
Retail prices for petrol and diesel remain unchanged despite the global spike in crude oil prices triggered by the West Asia crisis. The ministry confirmed adequate stocks of both fuels at all petrol pumps operated by public sector oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) across India. All refineries are reportedly operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, and local LPG production from refineries has been scaled up to support domestic consumption.
Enforcement Actions Against Hoarding
The government has intensified enforcement to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG. More than 1,570 raids were conducted nationwide on Sunday alone. Public sector oil companies have imposed penalties on 349 LPG distributorships and suspended 74 LPG distributorships as of Sunday following surprise inspections.
Government Advisory to Citizens
The ministry has urged citizens to avoid panic purchases of petrol, diesel, and LPG, and to rely on official sources for accurate information rather than rumours. LPG consumers have been specifically requested to use digital booking platforms and avoid visiting distributors in person. The government said it is taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted availability of petroleum products across the country amid the ongoing geopolitical disruption.
Point of View
But the scale of enforcement — 1,570 raids and 74 distributorship suspensions in a single day — reveals the degree of pressure the system is actually under. India imports roughly 85% of its crude oil, and the Strait of Hormuz is the passage for a significant share of that supply; the ministry's upbeat tone should be read alongside that structural vulnerability. The authentication-code delivery system is a genuine anti-diversion tool, but its 94% adoption also means 6% of deliveries remain unverified — a gap worth watching as geopolitical uncertainty deepens. The real test will come if the Hormuz closure extends beyond weeks into months.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LPG supply normal in India despite the West Asia crisis?
Yes, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, domestic LPG supply is normal as of Monday, 5 May 2025, with online bookings at 99% and no dry-outs reported at any retail distributorship. The government has also increased local LPG production from refineries to support domestic consumption.
What is the Strait of Hormuz and why does it matter for India's LPG supply?
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint through which a significant portion of global oil and LPG shipments pass. Its closure due to the West Asia crisis has raised concerns about supply disruptions for India, which is heavily dependent on imported crude oil and LPG.
What steps is the government taking against LPG hoarding?
The government has conducted more than 1,570 raids across the country in a single day, imposed penalties on 349 LPG distributorships, and suspended 74 distributorships as part of ongoing enforcement against hoarding and black marketing of LPG.
Have petrol and diesel prices increased due to the global oil price spike?
No, retail prices for petrol and diesel remain unchanged despite the global spike in crude oil prices. The ministry confirmed adequate stocks at all petrol pumps of public sector oil companies including Indian Oil, BPCL, and HPCL.
How can LPG consumers avoid visiting distributors during this period?
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has advised LPG consumers to use digital booking platforms for cylinder orders and avoid visiting distributors in person. Consumers can also surrender LPG connections in favour of PNG through the MYPNGD.in website.
