Govt bans sale of LPG cylinders directly from godowns
In a bid to make the LPG distribution system more transparent and efficient, the Delhi Government has imposed a complete ban on the sale of cylinders directly from godowns. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have issued clear instructions to all distributors, stating that any such sale is illegal and will attract strict action.
At the same time, the government has significantly expanded the availability of 5-kg LPG cylinders across the city to improve consumer access. These smaller cylinders can now be purchased easily from gas agencies by showing a valid ID, with no requirement for address verification.
To further assist migrant workers, 11 dedicated help desks have been set up at select HPCL outlets, where people can get information about nearby LPG distributors. According to the chief minister’s office, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the supply is being closely monitored to ensure there are no disruptions and that all regulations are strictly followed.
Residents have been advised to avoid visiting gas agencies or storage points or gathering in crowds, as all booked cylinders are being delivered directly to homes within the stipulated time.
According to data from April 4, a total of 114,679 LPG bookings were recorded in Delhi, while 131,335 cylinders were delivered by OMCs.
The fact that deliveries have exceeded bookings indicates that pending demand is being cleared at a steady pace and the system is functioning effectively. At present, the average delivery time for domestic LPG cylinders stands at 4.24 days, ensuring timely and reliable service for consumers.
The Chief Minister also said the Government has operationalised a dedicated control room (helpline: 011-23379836 / 8383824659) to curb illegal activities such as hoarding and black marketing. Stepping up enforcement, Delhi Police recently conducted raids at 17 locations, while officials from the Food and Supplies Department inspected 76 gas agencies and storage sites. Reassuring residents, the Chief Minister said LPG supply in Delhi remains fully stable and under control.
Citizens have been urged to stay calm, avoid rumours, and cooperate with the administration while relying on the established delivery system.
Meanwhile, the sale of small 5-kg LPG cylinders — available over the counter at LPG distributorships on showing valid ID proofs — has been stepped up, with about 6.6 lakh bottles sold since March 23 as the government ramps up supplies to meet demand. Unlike the subsidised domestic 14.2-kg cylinders, the 5 kg bottles, called FTL cylinders, are priced at market rates and do not require any address proof for procurement from a nearby LPG distributorship. “Yesterday (April 4), more than 90,000 5 kg FTL cylinders were sold. Since March 23, 2026, about 6.6 lakh, 5 kg FTL cylinders have been sold,” the oil ministry said in a statement.
The five-kg FTL cylinders, widely used by students, campers, and small food businesses, have long been marketed as accessible alternatives. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) sells them as Appu, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL or BharatGas) markets them as Mini, and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC or Indane) brands them as Chhotu. These cylinders are available through gas distributorships, select retail outlets, kirana stores, and utensil shops, with an initial purchase requiring the cylinder and regulator and subsequent refills costing only the price of gas.
