Kolkata: A continuous LPG supply crunch triggered by escalating tensions in West Asia and disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz has begun to impact households across Kolkata, with Oil Marketing Companies suspending new gas connections and the issuance of second cylinders until further notice.The move, aimed at managing limited supplies, has left new residents and existing consumers struggling to secure cooking fuel, forcing many to explore costly or inconvenient alternatives.Jayita Sen, a recent recruit at an IT firm in Salt Lake Sector V, is among those caught in the crisis. Having moved to a rented apartment in Golf Green from Siliguri, she was relying on a private LPG supplier. However, supplies from private vendors have dried up following the Feb 28 escalation in West Asia.“I applied for a new LPG connection two weeks ago after submitting all the required documents, but my application remained suspended,” Sen said. “Now the private agency has also stopped supplying gas. I am left with no option but to order food from outside. I don’t know how long this situation will continue.”Similar concerns are being voiced by existing consumers attempting to secure additional cylinders as a backup. Rajesh Singh, an engineer who recently relocated from Patna to a rented flat in Charu Market, said his application for a second cylinder was put on hold. “I wanted to avoid buying LPG at inflated prices from the black market, so I applied for a second cylinder. But I was told that all such requests have been suspended until the supply situation improves,” he said.Local LPG dealers acknowledged the strain on the system, saying they are facing daily shortages and increasing pressure from customers. “We are receiving instructions from OMCs to prioritise refills for existing single-connection consumers,” said a city-based distributor. “There is not enough supply to accommodate new connections or additional cylinders at this point.”Dealers also reported a rise in anxious enquiries and complaints from customers. “People are worried, especially families that rely entirely on LPG for cooking. Some are even asking for emergency supplies, which we are unable to provide,” the dealer added.OMCs, however, defended the temporary suspension as a necessary step to ensure equitable distribution during the crisis. A senior OMC official said, “Due to the ongoing geopolitical situation and supply disruptions in key transit routes like the Strait of Hormuz, there is a temporary imbalance between demand and supply. Our priority is to ensure that existing consumers continue to receive refills without major disruptions.““We are coordinating with suppliers and the govt to stabilise the supply chain. Once normalcy returns, new connections and second-cylinder requests will be resumed in a phased manner,” he said.The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, has been affected by the ongoing conflict, leading to logistical bottlenecks and delayed shipments. India, which relies heavily on LPG imports, is particularly vulnerable to such disruptions. Industry observers warn that if the situation persists, urban consumers—especially migrants and tenants without established connections—will bear the brunt of the shortage.
