Karnataka Pauses New 14.2-kg LPG Connections Amid Supply Disruption

The issuance of new domestic LPG connections has been temporarily halted across Karnataka following import disruptions caused by the conflict in West Asia, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad stated in the Legislative Council in Bengaluru. Oil marketing companies in the state have received 36,069 applications for new connections since April 2026.

Replying to an unstarred question raised by Member of the Legislative Council Tippanna Kamaknoor, Mr. Arshad explained that supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted after the war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran began in April 2026. In response, the Union government directed authorities to prioritise refills for existing consumers rather than releasing new 14.2-kg connections.

Between April 2026 and July 2026, oil companies including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) delivered approximately 36.62 lakh LPG cylinders across the state. To assist new applicants during the suspension, the department advised gas distributors to supply 5-kg Free Trade LPG cylinders instead of the standard 14.2-kg domestic connections.

Mr. Arshad noted that the state government has urged domestic LPG producers to ramp up production to offset the shortfall. In the initial phase of the disruption, the government regulated supplies to the commercial and industrial sectors to ensure households had access to cooking fuel.

Authorities also invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to regulate distribution and ensure equitable access. As part of this intervention, C3 and C4 hydrocarbon streams, typically used as feedstock in the petrochemical industry, were redirected on a priority basis to produce domestic LPG.

To manage demand and prevent excessive bookings, the department introduced mandatory intervals between cylinder refills. Household consumers in urban areas must observe a minimum gap of 25 days between bookings, while the mandatory gap in rural areas is set at 45 days.

The department has also enforced measures to prevent hoarding by hotels and suppliers, as well as the illegal diversion of domestic cylinders for commercial purposes. Additionally, the government is promoting piped natural gas (PNG) connections and alternative energy sources, including electricity, to reduce overall reliance on LPG.