Government Extends LPG Refill Waiting Period to 25 Days Amid Panic Buying

New Delhi, March 2026 :The central government has increased the minimum waiting period for booking a domestic LPG cylinder refill from 21 days to 25 days in an effort to curb hoarding and stabilise supply amid rising concerns triggered by the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict escalation 2026.

Officials said the decision was taken after signs of panic buying emerged in several parts of the country, driven by fears that the escalating tensions in the Middle East could disrupt global energy supplies. Authorities clarified that there is no immediate shortage of LPG in India, and the revised booking interval is primarily intended to manage inventories more effectively and discourage unnecessary stockpiling.

According to government officials, demand for LPG cylinders surged by nearly 15 to 20 percent in recent days as households rushed to book refills earlier than usual. This sudden spike in bookings raised concerns that distribution networks could face pressure even though adequate supplies remain available.

Officials noted that the average Indian household typically consumes about seven to eight LPG cylinders of 14.2 kilograms annually. Based on this usage pattern, a household generally requires a refill only once every six weeks. Therefore, the new 25-day waiting period is not expected to cause inconvenience for most consumers, but it is expected to prevent panic-driven bookings that could distort supply chains.

Meanwhile, the government has indicated that retail fuel prices will remain stable for now despite global crude oil prices crossing the $100 per barrel mark. A senior official stated that the country’s major oil marketing companies—Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum—are expected to absorb the current cost pressures for the time being.

The government is closely monitoring global oil markets and geopolitical developments, but there is currently no immediate plan to increase petrol and diesel prices. Officials said maintaining price stability is a priority while assessing the evolving international situation.

In a related development, Parliament was informed on Monday that India possesses sufficient reserves to manage potential supply disruptions caused by geopolitical crises. Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi stated in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that the country currently has a total storage capacity for crude oil and petroleum products sufficient for about 74 days.

This includes the Strategic Petroleum Reserves, which have a capacity of 5.33 million metric tonnes and can meet approximately 9.5 days of crude oil requirements in case of sudden supply disruptions. In addition, oil marketing companies maintain storage facilities capable of meeting about 64.5 days of demand.

Officials said these reserves act as an important buffer during emergencies such as geopolitical conflicts, ensuring that energy supplies remain stable even during periods of global uncertainty.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)