As LPG Gas Shortage Bites, Thieves Make Off With Delivery Cylinders In Tamil Nadu

A growing shortage of cooking gas in parts of Tamil Nadu has triggered an unexpected side effect - theft of LPG cylinders meant for home delivery. In Dindigul, delivery workers and residents say unidentified individuals have begun targeting cylinders during distribution, raising concerns about safety and supply, as per a report in DTNext.

The incidents come as households, small eateries and roadside tea stalls struggle to obtain cooking gas amid a tightening supply situation.

One of the latest thefts occurred in the busy Mengles Road area of Dindigul town. According to the report, an employee of a gas agency had loaded several LPG cylinders onto a tricycle for delivery to nearby homes. While handing over one cylinder to a resident, he briefly left the tricycle unattended.

When he returned just minutes later, one of the cylinders that had been stacked on the vehicle had disappeared.

Residents later informed the delivery worker that a group of unidentified persons had arrived in an autorickshaw, quickly lifted the cylinder and driven away before anyone could react.

A similar episode was reported earlier from Pillaiyarnatham, a locality on the outskirts of Dindigul. In that case too, a cylinder intended for household supply was allegedly taken away by a group travelling in an autorickshaw.

Gas agency staff say the incidents have added to their worries at a time when they are already under pressure due to the shortage. Delivery workers have now been advised to remain vigilant and avoid leaving cylinders unattended while making deliveries.

The thefts coincide with a broader supply crunch that has been affecting both domestic users and small businesses. Hotels, roadside eateries and tea stalls across the district say they are struggling to obtain cylinders needed for daily operations.

Restaurant owners complain that commercial LPG cylinders are either unavailable or being supplied in limited quantities. Many establishments have been forced to cut down operations or rely on alternate arrangements to keep their kitchens running.

The situation worsened after cooking gas prices rose sharply following tensions linked to the Iran-US conflict. In response to the volatile situation, restrictions were reportedly imposed on cylinder distribution in several places.

As a result, the waiting period for domestic LPG cylinder bookings has stretched to nearly 25 days in some regions, leaving households anxious about refills.

Adding to the frustration, customers have also faced technical problems while trying to book cylinders over the phone in recent days. For at least two days, telephone bookings were reportedly unavailable due to a system glitch, further delaying deliveries.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has reportedly formed a committee to study the emerging supply crunch following complaints from restaurant associations and industry groups.

India's heavy dependence on imports has made the situation particularly sensitive to global developments. The country consumes about 31.3 million tonnes of LPG every year. Nearly 87 per cent of this is used by households, while the remaining share goes to commercial users such as hotels and restaurants.

Importantly, about 62 per cent of India's LPG demand is met through overseas supplies.

Industry experts point out that disruptions in key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz could further complicate the supply chain. A large portion of India's LPG imports passes through this vital corridor.

If geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue or maritime transport is affected for an extended period, the ripple effects could be felt not only by businesses but also by millions of households relying on LPG for daily cooking.