Impending LPG Cylinder Shortage: Six Southern States at Risk as Tankers Halt Deliveries Starting March 27

Namakkal: There’s trouble brewing for LPG cylinder supply in six southern states—Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. Starting Thursday, around 4,000 LPG tankers will halt operations due to failed negotiations with oil companies.

The South Indian LPG Tanker Owners Association, based in Namakkal, represents tanker owners across these states. Their president, Sundararajan, shared in a recent press conference that these trucks are vital for transporting gas from ports to bottling plants of major companies like Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum.

Recently, oil companies introduced new rules for contracts running from 2025 to 2030. One key change is the restriction to three-axle trucks only, which has upset many tanker owners. Additional rules include hefty fines for not having alternate drivers or cleaners and a ban on participation in bidding for trucks involved in minor accidents for three years.

After three rounds of talks without any agreement, Sundararajan announced the decision to strike indefinitely starting March 27. This move aims to prevent job losses among tanker owners. He warned that this strike would lead to a shortage of both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders in the affected states.

The implications of this strike could be significant. According to recent statistics, over 80 million households in India depend on LPG for cooking. A shortage could lead to price hikes and increased hardship for families, especially those already facing economic challenges.

On social media, users are expressing concern, with many sharing stories about how vital LPG is for daily cooking. The hashtag #LPGStrike is trending, gathering attention from those affected by the potential shortage.

In conclusion, the situation remains tense. If the oil companies do not engage in further discussions, the impact could ripple through communities that rely heavily on affordable gas supply. For more details on energy supply challenges, you can refer to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

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TANKERS GO OFF ROADS, SOUTH INDIA LPG TANKER OWNERS, LPG CYLINDERS, LPG SHORTAGE IN SOUTH INDIA, SIX SOUTHERN STATES MAY FACE LPG CYLINDER SUPPLY SHORTAGE AS TANKERS GO OFF ROADS FROM MAR 27