Thiruvananthapuram: State govt urged people to avoid hoarding LPG cylinders and to refrain from panic booking, even while imposing restrictions on commercial LPG cylinders due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.The guidelines issued on Wednesday were formulated to mitigate the crisis and encourage commercial and industrial units to transition to piped natural gas (PNG) connections.A portal, https://www.lpgtrackerkerala.in, has been activated for emergency needs for commercial LPG. SOS applications for commercial LPG can be submitted, and a district crisis committee will ensure gas availability proportionate to the need.The distribution of commercial cylinders will be limited and supply will be prioritised to hospitals, schools, Anganwadis, crematoriums, industrial canteens, school-college hostels, community kitchens/subsidised hotels, old age homes/orphanages. These sectors will get 100% of their actual requirements.Hotels, restaurants, canteens, food processing units and kitchens run by govt/local institutions will receive 40% of their actual requirements, said the statement.The guideline said that all commercial or industrial LPG consumers must apply for a PNG connection from city gas distribution facilities. Failure to transition to PNG, where available, may lead to future LPG supply restrictions, said the statement.“All commercial consumers should adhere to govt guidelines and transition to environmentally friendly and stable alternatives like PNG. Until the crisis is fully resolved, alternative fuel sources such as firewood can be used,” it said.To coordinate actions and provide guidelines, a state crisis management committee has been formed under the chief secretary’s chairmanship, with secretary of food and civil supplies department as convener and related department secretaries as members.
