Rs195 hike takes commercial LPG cylinder cost to Rs2,255 Nagpur: The public sector undertaking (PSU) oil marketing companies have increased the rates of 19kg commercial LPG cylinders by Rs195, taking it to Rs2,255 per unit. However, despite the higher pricing, availability remains an issue, say sources in the business, including dealers. There is a demand for as much as 40,000 metric tonne LPG in a month in the city. Even as there is no dearth of supply for establishments like hospitals, orphanages and educational institutions, hotels and eateries are only being supplied sparingly, said sources. Dealers have reported receiving lesser supplies for commercial buyers, though oil marketing companies acknowledge that panic booking by domestic consumers is also contributing to the supply disruption. This has affected the overall supply to all sectors, as both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders are filled from the same common pool. The situation has created a bottleneck, with commercial users facing significant challenges in securing adequate stock. The shortage has sparked discussions about alternative solutions to mitigate the crisis. One such initiative is the development of indigenous technology by IIT Bombay to address the LPG scarcity. The university has introduced a method that converts fallen leaves into cooking fuel, aiming to reduce reliance on traditional LPG sources. This innovation is seen as a potential long-term solution to the problem, though its immediate impact on the current supply chain remains to be seen. The price hike has also raised concerns about the affordability of LPG for commercial users, particularly small businesses and restaurants. With the cost of a single cylinder now exceeding Rs2,255, many establishments are struggling to manage their expenses.#nagpur #iit_bombay #oil_marketing_companies #lpg_cylinder #commercial_users
