Hyderabad: A sharp surge in cooking gas demand and supply disruptions linked to the Iran conflict have forced LPG agencies across the state to freeze second cylinder requests and halt new connections, leaving thousands of households scrambling for fuel. Families dependent on a single cylinder are now bearing the brunt of the shortage.Officials said vigilance teams have been formed to curb black market sales and ensure cylinders reach genuine consumers. With fresh supplies taking up to a month when an existing cylinder runs out, consumers have rushed to apply for second cylinders as a backup. Applications for double cylinder connections have jumped fivefold over normal levels. But agencies, citing severe pressure and lack of storage space, have put new requests on hold. In the last month alone, around 5.50 lakh people reportedly applied for second cylinders through three distributors. Dealers said approving double cylinder requests during the shortage would worsen the crisis, as consumers would immediately book additional refills. “We have just returned to the normal in clearing the regular bookings. Anything above this, it may not be possible. Double cylinder and new connections will be restored only after further instructions,” said K Jagan Mohan Reddy, Telangana LPG dealers association president. The state has 1.28 crore domestic LPG connections, of which 68 lakh are single cylinder users and 60 lakh have double cylinder connections. This means nearly 60% of consumers still depend on just one cylinder. Waiting period 25 daysBefore the conflict, consumers could book another cylinder 15 days after receiving one. Now, the waiting period has stretched to 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas. Delivery after booking is taking another seven to 11 days. Large families say one cylinder is no longer enough, forcing some to turn to the black market. Others are applying for fresh connections in the names of family members. Demand from newly separated families, students and migrant workers has also doubled. IOC, HPCL and BPCL operate through 810 agencies across 33 districts, supplying 2,25,981 domestic cylinders and 23,458 commercial cylinders every day.
