NEW DELHI: The number of domestic LPG refill bookings has fallen to nearly 43-44 lakh in April from a peak of about 89 lakh in mid-March, easing pressure on cooking gas supplies, reports Atul Mathur.According to govt data, refill bookings have remained below 50 lakh cylinders since April 3, falling to 35 lakh on April 12. During this period, oil marketing companies supplied close to 50 lakh cylinders a day, except Sunday when 30.7 lakh were delivered. Between April 1 and 14, 658 lakh cylinders were booked and 652 lakh delivered.Aerage daily demand for domestic LPG was 55 lakh cylinders in the pre-crisis period.During the peak of the West Asia conflict in March, when energy flows were disrupted due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, fears of shortage triggered a surge in bookings. From an average of 57 lakh, bookings rose to 88.8 lakh on March 13, reflecting panic behaviour. The govt raised the minimum gap for refills from 15 to 21 days and then 25 days to discourage orders.“Bookings vary, but on average they are 50-55 lakh a day. Domestic LPG supply is normal, and no dry-out has been reported,” said Sujata Sharma, joint secretary, petroleum ministry.
