Over 4 in 10 household consumers surveyed experienced LPG delays last week; 1 in 10 bought it in the black market with premium ranging between INR 300-4000

April 1, 2026, New Delhi: Over the past week, multiple Indian cities have witnessed a surge in consumer complaints regarding LPG supply disruptions, including delays, shortfall, diversion, and black marketing. These issues appear to be linked to broader supply constraints triggered by global disruptions, particularly tensions in West Asia affecting fuel imports.

In cities such as Lucknow and Prayagraj, residents reported significant delays in cylinder deliveries despite receiving booking confirmations and Delivery Authentication Codes (DAC). Many households claimed they had to wait up to a week or more after booking, with distributors citing vehicle shortages and irregular supply from oil companies.

Similar grievances emerged in Bhubaneswar, where consumers alleged “ghost deliveries” — cylinders marked as delivered in the system without actual supply. This has led to protests and long queues outside agencies, highlighting gaps in distribution and monitoring systems. Authorities have also uncovered serious irregularities. In Sitapur, a gas agency was sealed after nearly 800 cylinders were found missing, indicating possible diversion of supply. Meanwhile, in Delhi, police conducted dozens of raids, seizing over 1,700 cylinders and registering multiple FIRs against hoarding and illegal distribution networks.

Black marketing has emerged as a major concern. In Pune and parts of Tamil Nadu, cylinders were reportedly sold at highly inflated prices, several times the official rate. Cases of delivery personnel diverting subsidized cylinders for illegal sale have also been reported, pointing to systemic leakages in the supply chain.

Overall, the past week reflects a combination of supply constraints, logistical inefficiencies, and malpractice at the distribution level. While the government maintains there is no nationwide shortage, the persistence of local disruptions underscores the need for stricter monitoring and improved last-mile delivery systems.

In the past week, oil marketing companies (OMCs) and state authorities have intensified enforcement to curb LPG irregularities. Nationwide crackdowns included thousands of raids, with over 15,000 cylinders seized to prevent hoarding and black marketing.

State governments launched targeted drives—Chhattisgarh alone seized over 3,800 cylinders and filed multiple FIRs, while setting up control rooms to monitor supply.

Local administrations sealed errant gas agencies, conducted surprise inspections, and reassigned consumers to alternative distributors. Police also busted illegal refilling units and arrested individuals involved in diversion and black marketing.

Additionally, authorities have initiated probes, enforced stricter delivery authentication systems, and revised allocation policies to improve transparency and prevent misuse.

Taking note of the rise in consumer complaints on its platform, LocalCircles has conducted a nationwide survey to find out what percentage of households are facing delays and also what percentage are having to pay extra to get a cooking gas cylinder on time. The survey received over 40,000 responses from household consumers located in 311 districts of India. 61% respondents were men while 39% respondents were women. 45% respondents were from tier 1, 33% from tier 2 and 22% respondents were from tier 3, 4 & 5 districts.

43% household consumers surveyed report experiencing LPG delays in the last one week; 8% of them bought in the black market

The survey first asked consumers, “In the last 7 days have you faced any difficulty in booking or receiving a domestic LPG cylinder?” Out of 20,179 consumers who responded to the question 31% indicated that they had “no difficulty- booking and delivery normal”; 13% of respondents indicated that they have “just not been able to submit the booking when needed”; 22% of respondents indicated that they “had to wait longer than usual for receipt / delivery”; 8% of respondents indicated that they “had to buy LPG cylinder from black market at higher price”; 18% of respondents indicated that they “just simply could not get a LPG cylinder”; and 8% of respondents did not give a clear answer. To sum up, 43% of household consumers surveyed report experiencing LPG delays in the last one week; 8% of them bought in the black market.

72% household consumers surveyed who are aware of LPG black marketing in their area say suppliers/middlemen are charging anywhere between INR 300 - 4000 extra per cylinder

The survey next asked consumers, “If you or someone in your neighborhood had to buy LPG outside the official system from the black market, how much extra was charged per cylinder?” Out of 20,523 consumers who responded to the question 16% indicated that some of the consumers had to pay “INR 300- 500 extra per cylinder”; 10% of respondents indicated that up to “INR 500- 1000 extra per cylinder” was paid; 23% of respondents indicated that up to “INR 1000- 2000 extra per cylinder” was paid; 23% of respondents indicated that “INR 2000-4000 extra per cylinder” was paid; 6% of respondents indicated that “over INR 4000 extra per cylinder” was paid; and 22% of respondents did not give a clear answer. To sum up, 72% household consumers surveyed who are aware of LPG black marketing in their area say suppliers/middlemen are charging anywhere between INR 300 - 4000 extra per cylinder.

In summary, with the war still on in Middle East and reports of supply uncertainty, the black market continues to thrive in India. The study revealed that 43% of household consumers surveyed report experiencing LPG delays in the last one week while 8% of consumers reported that they had to buy the domestic cooking cylinder in the black market. As is usually the case, consumers are forced to shell out sizeable amounts in the black market. The study has revealed that 72% household consumers surveyed, who are aware of LPG black marketing in their area, say suppliers/middlemen are charging anywhere between INR 300 - 4000 extra per cylinder.

While government and oil companies have been reassuring consumers that there is no need panic as supplies of domestic LPG is adequate and can be booked online for timely delivery, the fear factor knows no reason thus there appears to be an ongoing effort by some consumers to have more LPG cylinders on standby. Authorities need to step up vigil to check black marketing of LPG cylinders.