Auto LPG shortage hits Telangana as Middle East crisis disrupts supply; one lakh drivers affected
HYDERABAD: A severe auto LPG shortage, triggered by the ongoing Middle East crisis, has affected nearly one lakh auto-rickshaw drivers across Telangana, disrupting transport services and pushing many to the brink of a livelihood crisis.
According to estimates, the State is facing a shortfall of around 55 metric tonnes (MT) of auto LPG per day. The disruption has led to ‘dry-out’ conditions at several private outlets, affecting public transport and causing long queues at fuel stations.
Thousands of drivers are either waiting in kilometre-long queues at outlets run by public sector undertakings (PSUs) or paying higher prices at private stations. While auto LPG is priced at ₹75 per litre at PSU outlets, private operators are charging up to ₹93 per litre, an increase of ₹18.
Private operators dominate distribution, worsening supply impact
The State’s auto LPG distribution network is largely dependent on private operators, who account for nearly 80% of the market with about 110 outlets. In contrast, PSUs including Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, operate only 33 outlets, covering 20% of the network.
The Civil Supplies department said a major private player, Total Energies, which runs 15 outlets in Telangana, sources nearly 80% of its LPG from BPCL and HPCL, with the remainder through imports. Disruptions in PSU supplies have significantly affected operations at these outlets.
Officials said the reduced supply has strained the distribution system, leading to transport disruptions and inconvenience to commuters.
State seeks urgent Centre support to ease crisis
Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has urged Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to increase auto LPG availability at PSU outlets and introduce regulatory measures to prevent price escalation by private companies.
The State government has also requested the Centre to direct PSUs to supply additional LPG to private marketing firms to bridge the deficit and stabilise supply across Telangana.
