Kolkata: Oil marketing companies tightened LPG booking norms as global energy disruptions triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict continue to affect fuel supply chains in India. Under the revised instructions, LPG distributors in the state were asked not to accept refill bookings from customers who did not order a cylinder for more than nine months unless they completed the mandatory KYC verification.The move comes as authorities attempt to streamline distribution and prevent irregular usage while managing the demand-supply imbalance that emerged in recent weeks. According to distributor sources, customers whose LPG connections remained inactive for over nine months now have to visit the distributor’s office in person to complete KYC formalities before they are allowed to book a refill cylinder.“Distributors were instructed not to process refill bookings for such customers unless they completed physical KYC verification. In the past few days, we received booking requests from consumers who did not order LPG cylinders for over one year,” said a distributor.Despite a slight improvement in supply conditions, many consumers continue to face difficulties in accessing LPG refills. Queues were reported outside distributor offices in Kolkata on Monday, where customers are arriving either to complete KYC compliance or to place bookings manually.Many consumers still find it difficult to use automated booking systems such as Interactive Voice Response Systems (IVRS) or mobile applications. As a result, they prefer visiting dealer counters to book their cylinders. “Some customers are unfamiliar with digital booking systems. They still come to the office to place refill requests or to update their KYC details,” a distributor said.Cylinder delivery timelines, which stretched to eight to nine days last week, have now reduced to five to six days in many parts of the city. Industry officials attribute the improvement to better supply coordination and additional regulatory measures introduced by oil companies.Another development relates to households that already have access to PNG. Oil companies indicated that LPG connections in households where PNG pipelines are available may be suspended in the future. Officials said this policy would help redistribute LPG supplies to regions where PNG infrastructure has not yet expanded.
