New Delhi: State-run oil companies’ LPG sales fell 17 per cent in the first half of March as supplies to commercial customers decelerated sharply amid the widespread logistical bottlenecks triggered by the Iran war. Petrol and diesel sales, however, surged as supply remained unaffected, and consumers rushed to fuel up amid fears of shortages.
A sharp cut in supply to commercial customers led to a decline in LPG consumption in March, said Sujata Sharma, a joint secretary in the oil ministry.
With consignments from the Gulf severely disrupted due to the war, the government prioritised households for LPG supply, curtailing those to commercial and industrial customers. The Gulf accounts for about 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports.
The supply of LPG is a “matter of concern” and there is a need to “conserve, ” said Sharma, highlighting that households are being regularly supplied LPG cylinders.
LPG sales tend to increase every month, given an expanding customer base and a growing economy.
During April–February FY26, LPG sales, including those by private firms, rose 7.9 per cent.
