Rush for LPG bookings amid rumours; Officials say no shortage in district

Ferozepur, March 12, 2026: A sudden rush has been witnessed at LPG gas agencies across the district these days as residents throng the outlets to book domestic cylinders amid concerns about possible supply issues. Many people fear that if domestic LPG becomes scarce, managing daily cooking at home would become difficult.
As per information, the district has around 15 LPG agencies and nearly 5,000 domestic cylinders are consumed daily, while more than 300 commercial cylinders are supplied to hotels and dhabas.
Parth Walia, owner of Nector Gas Agency in city area, said that the commercial cylinders currently in stock are being supplied as per requirement, particularly to institutions such as schools and hospitals. He said that there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders. “Some consumers are facing difficulty receiving OTPs during the booking process however booking is being on regular basis. A large number of people are visiting agencies mainly to apply for new connections”, said Walia.
Rajesh Bansal, proprietor of Quake Flame Gas Agency in the cantonment area, said that domestic LPG supply remains normal. He said that as per rules, bookings for each connection are processed once in 30 days through mobile OTP verification and cylinders are supplied within 24 hours. “There has been some disruption in the supply of commercial cylinders. As per regulations, supply of cylinders to temples, gurdwaras, other religious places, mid-day meal kitchens and mess facilities has been restricted. Cylinders are being supplied only to schools where hostels are operational and students reside,” Bansal said, adding that many people are visiting agencies due to rumours only, even though no consumer has been refused a cylinder.
Cantonment resident Sushil Gupta said the scenes outside gas agencies reminded him of earlier times when LPG connections had just been introduced and people would queue up through the night to secure a new connection. Sources said that the supply of commercial cylinders in the cantonment area has been halted, though agencies in the city area are still providing commercial cylinders. However, agency owners themselves are uncertain about whether such supplies will continue in the coming days.
Shailendra Kumar, of Ferozepur Foundation, said that their organisation runs five langars daily where food is prepared for nearly 2,000 people morning and evening. He said that they have not faced any difficulty in obtaining LPG cylinders so far and supplies are continuing as usual.
Meanwhile, , with apprehensions over gas availability, the prices of electric induction cooktops in the market have shot up significantly due to increased demand.
Local traders say that induction stoves which earlier sold for around Rs 8,000 are now being priced between Rs 12,000 and Rs 14,000, while smaller induction cooktops commonly used in households have risen from Rs 1,500–Rs 2,000 to nearly Rs 3,500. Shopkeepers claim that the sudden surge in demand has also led to a shortage in supply from manufacturers.
DC Deepshikha Sharma has appealed to residents not to pay heed to rumours, stating that there is no shortage of domestic LPG in the district and cylinders are being supplied to consumers as per norms. She also warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found indulging in hoarding or black marketing of LPG.