LPG refill booking period extended to 25 days:Govt extends waiting period by 4 days to curb hoarding amid Iran conflict

The Central Government has revised the rules for refilling domestic LPG cylinders, increasing the waiting period for booking a second cylinder. According to government sources cited by Asian News International (ANI), consumers will now be able to book a second LPG cylinder only after 25 days of delivery of the previous one. Earlier, the booking gap was 21 days. Move aimed at preventing gas hoarding Government sources said the decision was taken amid rising tensions in the Middle East to prevent hoarding of cooking gas. Officials noted that earlier most consumers used to book their next cylinder after about 55 days, but recently some people had started rebooking within 15 days, raising concerns about unnecessary bookings. By increasing the waiting period to 25 days, the government aims to ensure fair distribution and make cylinders easily available for households that genuinely need them. Domestic LPG price increased by ₹60 The rule change comes just two days after the government increased the price of domestic LPG cylinders by ₹60. In Delhi, a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder now costs ₹913, compared with the earlier price of ₹853. At the same time, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has increased by ₹115, taking the new price to ₹1,883. The revised prices came into effect on March 7. Earlier, the government had increased the price of domestic LPG cylinders by ₹50 on April 8, 2025, marking the first hike in nearly a year. Meanwhile, commercial LPG cylinder prices had already been raised by up to ₹31 on March 1, 2026. War concerns influencing energy decisions Officials said the government has taken these steps amid concerns about potential supply disruptions due to the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent shortages of fuel and cooking gas in the country. Commercial LPG supply restricted in some states In the meantime, reports from Rajasthan indicate that oil companies have imposed an undeclared restriction on the delivery of commercial LPG cylinders due to declining stock levels. Agencies have reportedly been instructed through internal messages not to place orders for commercial cylinders and to focus primarily on domestic LPG supply. A similar situation has been reported in Punjab, where agencies have not received supplies of 19-kg commercial cylinders for the past two days. Local managers of oil companies have reportedly asked distributors to avoid placing fresh orders for commercial cylinders for the time being. Petrol and diesel prices likely to remain stable Despite the developments, government officials have indicated that petrol and diesel prices are unlikely to increase immediately. According to sources, fuel prices in India are expected to remain stable unless international crude oil prices cross $130 per barrel. Current estimates suggest crude prices may remain around $100 per barrel. Government assures no fuel shortage The government has clarified that there is no shortage of fuel at petrol pumps across the country and that the supply chain remains stable. To prevent any potential disruptions, India has also increased crude oil sourcing through alternative routes instead of relying heavily on the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit corridor. Adequate aviation fuel stock available Officials also said that the country has adequate reserves of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) used in aircraft operations. India not only produces ATF but also exports it, ensuring that air services are unlikely to be affected by the current geopolitical tensions. Other countries seeking India’s energy management strategy Government sources added that several countries have contacted New Delhi to understand India’s strategy for managing fuel stocks and maintaining supply chains during global uncertainties. Officials said India’s preparedness in handling energy resources has drawn international attention amid the evolving global situation.