A severe shortage of commercial LPG cylinders in Ahmedabad has triggered black marketing, price hikes, and illegal practices, affecting both businesses and essential services.
Commercial LPG cylinder shortages have affected Ahmedabad. Black marketing has emerged as a result. These days, a 19-kg commercial cylinder, which used to cost around ₹1,900, now between ₹4,500 and ₹5,000.
Black Marketing and Price Surge in Ahmedabad
The unlawful refilling of household gas into commercial cylinders is apparently on the rise, and the Gujarat government’s Civil Supplies department has failed to stop this.
In Ahmedabad, between 2.5 and 3 lakh houses have both PNG and LPG connections. These two links have proved impossible for the system to trace. Some organizations are illegally removing gas from household LPG cylinders and refilling commercial cylinders for profit since many individuals do not use their cylinders.
Illegal Refilling and Supply Chain Manipulation
There are around 2 lakh business connections and between 12 and 15 lakh home LPG connections in Ahmedabad. Gas intended for residential use is being diverted and sold to schools, hospitals, hostels, and other business customers in order to profit from the scarcity. Per cylinder, this illicit enterprise makes between ₹2,500 and ₹3,000.
Filling business cylinders with gas from residential cylinders costs around ₹1,250. After that, they may fetch up to ₹5,000 on the illicit market. Additionally, some individuals are breaking the law by purchasing home cylinders for about ₹2,500 and utilizing them for commercial reasons.
🔥 Ahmedabad LPG Crisis & Black Market
- Old Price: ₹1,900 per cylinder
- Current Price: ₹4,500–₹5,000
- Main Issue: Commercial LPG shortage
- Illegal Activity: Refilling household gas into commercial cylinders
- Profit Margin: ₹2,500–₹3,000 per cylinder
- Government Action: No strict control yet
Impact on Businesses and Essential Services
Many restaurants, food sellers, and small businesses are having trouble running their everyday operations as a result of the scarcity. The inability of establishments like schools, hospitals, and dorms to get a consistent gas supply is also having an impact on the services they provide.
The Civil Supplies department has not yet taken any steps to stop these illicit operations. Officials have come under fire for their inability to keep an eye on the abuse of home gas connections and for failing to regulate the illicit market.
⚠️ Business Disruption & Fuel Misuse
- Businesses Affected: Restaurants, food vendors
- Essential Services: Schools, hospitals, hostels impacted
- Illegal Usage: Domestic cylinders used commercially
- Unused Connections: Around 25% LPG not used for cooking
- Monitoring Failure: Authorities unable to track misuse
- Public Concern: Lack of government enforcement
Unused LPG Connections and System Gaps
Few customers have canceled their additional LPG connections despite the problem. It is estimated that 25% of LPG connections are not utilized for cooking.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Market conditions, prices, and government actions may change over time.
