Karnataka Urges Increased LPG Supply Amid West Asia Crisis

Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has appealed to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for enhanced allocation and availability of commercial LPG and Auto LPG to the state. This call for action comes as two Indian vessels, 'Shivalik' and 'Nanda Devi', made port in Gujarat carrying over 90,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas amidst disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict.

Siddaramaiah delineated the substantial impact on Karnataka's LPG supply, noting that the government is delivering only 1,000 units daily against a demand of 50,000 LPG cylinders for restaurants, hotels, and other establishments. The supply crisis has forced several businesses to shut down, affecting students, IT professionals, farmers, and others reliant on the hospitality industry.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over the absence of an integrated platform for monitoring commercial supplies, a facility existing for domestic gas. He highlighted the need for a transparent system for Auto LPG distribution, essential for auto-rickshaw drivers crucial to city connectivity. Simultaneously, maritime operations are under scrutiny, with Indian vessels safely navigating the Strait of Hormuz, as overseen by the Directorate General of Shipping and related authorities.