Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, April 2: Amid an emerging nationwide shortage of LPG cylinders, scenes of improvisation are becoming increasingly common.
At a wedding function held at Baradwari Maidan, cooks were compelled to abandon conventional gas-based cooking and resort to firewood to prepare meals for guests.
The shift, reminiscent of a bygone era, underscores the gravity of the ongoing supply disruption affecting both domestic and commercial users across the country.
The shortage has been attributed to a combination of global supply constraints and a surge in demand, further aggravated by panic booking.
Reports indicate that even large-scale events, which traditionally rely on multiple commercial cylinders, are struggling to secure adequate supply.
In several cities, hotels, caterers, and households alike are facing delays and uncertainty.
A catering staff member at the venue remarked, “We had no option but to use wood; gas cylinders were simply unavailable.” Another attendee noted, “This is the first time in years we are seeing such arrangements at a modern wedding.”
Recent developments suggest that commercial LPG supply has been particularly impacted, with many establishments receiving only a fraction of their usual allocation, forcing them to seek alternatives like firewood or induction cooking.
Current LPG Booking Norms and Prices
To manage the crisis and prevent hoarding, the government has revised LPG booking rules:
Urban areas: Consumers can book a refill only after 25 days of the last delivery.
Rural areas: The waiting period may extend up to 30–45 days, depending on supply conditions.
LPG Prices (Jamshedpur) :
Domestic 14.2 Kg cylinder: Rs 953
These measures aim to ensure equitable distribution, but the ground reality suggests that supply gaps continue to disrupt daily life and even large social events.
