Over 36,000 consumers await new LPG connections in Karnataka after West Asia war

Following the West Asia war, the issuance of new LPG connections was temporarily halted across the country as vital import routes through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted. Since April 2026, oil companies in Karnataka, including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), have received around 36,069 applications for new connections.

These figures were revealed by Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Rizwan Arshad while replying to an unstarred question raised by Member of the Legislative Council Tippanna Kamaknoor in the Council recently.

Mr. Arshad said, “From April 2026 to July 2026, around 36.62 lakh LPG cylinders were delivered to consumers across the State. However, after the war involving Israel, the United States and Iran began in April 2026, new LPG connections were not provided. The department had advised gas agencies to provide 5-kg Free Trade LPG cylinders to consumers who had applied for new connections instead of issuing 14.2-kg LPG connections.”

The Minister noted that these measures were taken in accordance with instructions from the Union government and to prioritise the supply of LPG refills to existing consumers.

“Once the situation normalises, new LPG connections will be provided to consumers across the State,” Mr. Arshad said.

He also said that the State government had urged domestic LPG producers to increase production.

Elaborating on the measures taken, Mr. Arshad said, “In the initial phase of the crisis, LPG supply to the commercial and industrial sectors was regulated to meet the demand for essential cooking gas. More importantly, C3 and C4 hydrocarbon streams, which are normally used as feedstock in the petrochemical industry, were diverted on a priority basis for domestic LPG supply.

“The Essential Commodities Act, 1955, was invoked to regulate the distribution of LPG and ensure that LPG connections were made available equitably to all consumers,” he said.

To prevent household consumers from booking additional LPG cylinders, the department introduced a minimum gap of 25 days between two refills in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas, the Minister said.

He added that, to reduce dependence on LPG, the department has taken steps to create awareness about PNG connections and the use of alternative sources of energy, including electricity, for cooking.

In addition, the department has taken measures to prevent the illegal diversion of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial use, as well as the hoarding of cylinders by hotels, suppliers and others.