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Karnataka CM Seeks Urgent LPG Boost as Two Tankers Arrive Amid Supply Crisis

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri requesting adequate allocation of commercial and Auto LPG. The request follows the arrival of two gas carriers in Gujarat, as the state faces a severe shortage, supplying only 1,000 cylinders against a daily demand of 50,000. Siddaramaiah warned that the crisis is forcing establishments to shut down and impacting students, professionals, and auto-rickshaw drivers. He also highlighted the lack of an integrated monitoring system for commercial LPG distribution, leading to transparency issues.

Key Points: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Urges Centre for LPG Allocation

  • LPG supply disrupted by West Asia conflict
  • State meets only 2% of daily demand
  • Auto-rickshaw drivers' livelihoods affected
  • No integrated system to monitor commercial supply
  • Two carriers bring over 90,000 MT to Gujarat
2 min read

CM Siddaramaiah requests adequate allocation of LPG to Karnataka after arrival of two tankers

CM Siddaramaiah writes to Hardeep Puri for commercial & auto LPG supply after tankers arrive. State faces severe shortage impacting businesses.

"This is beginning to impact the students, IT professionals, farmers, dairy producers... - CM Siddaramaiah"

Bengaluru, March 19

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India, Hardeep Singh Puri, requesting him to ensure adequate allocation and availability of commercial LPG and Auto LPG to Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah's request came as two Indian vessels, 'Shivalik and Nanda Devi', arrived in Gujarat, carrying more than 90,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas

Noting the disruption in LPG supply due to the West Asia conflict, Siddaramaiah mentioned that the state government is only able to supply 1000 per day as against the demand of 50,000 LPG cylinders from restaurants, hotels, catering establishments and PG accommodations.

"As a result, there has been a visible increase in the shutting down of establishments due to the non-availability of commercial LPG. This is beginning to impact the students, IT professionals, farmers, dairy producers, along with a large section of the public who are dependent on the hospitality sector," Siddaramaiah said.

He also mentioned there is no integrated platform available for monitoring the commercial supplies, as opposed to the existing IT system to monitor the domestic gas supply.

The Karnataka CM also expressed concern over no integrated system to monitor the distribution of Auto LPG, which he said leads to a lack of transparency and accountability.

"Similarly, Auto LPG is a critical fuel for a large number of auto-rickshaws, which form an important part of the city's last-mile connectivity and support the livelihood of many drivers. However, there is no integrated system to monitor the distribution of Auto LPG, which leads to a lack of transparency and accountability," he said.

The two Indian-flagged LPG carriers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz before arriving in India on March 16 and 17. MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi - carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG- crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Friday (March 13, 2026).

The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agencies and Indian diplomatic missions in the region, a release said. The Union Shipping Minister is actively monitoring the situation, it added. To ensure smooth maritime operations, the government is working closely with ports, shipping lines and logistics stakeholders to minimise any operational disruptions to maritime trade. Ports have been advised to extend relief measures where required, including concessions in anchorage, berth hire and storage charges.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good that the ships arrived safely. But 90,000 tonnes for the whole country? Karnataka's share must be prioritised. The hospitality sector employs lakhs of people. No LPG means no jobs. This needs a permanent solution, not just firefighting.
D
David E
Working in Bengaluru, the auto fare situation is already bad. If Auto LPG supply is hit, it will become worse. The lack of a monitoring system is shocking in this digital age. Transparency is key to fair distribution.
A
Aman W
Respectfully, while the CM's letter is needed, the state government could also look at temporary local solutions. Can't we promote induction stoves in some commercial setups as a backup? We need to be less dependent on global supply chains for essentials.
S
Shreya B
It's not just about restaurants. Think about the dhabas on highways, the small tea stalls... they are the backbone for truck drivers and travelers. A supply crunch has a ripple effect on the entire economy. Jai Karnataka!
K
Karthik V
The data says it all: demand 50,000, supply 1000. That's a crisis. The Centre and State must work together without politics. Hope Minister Puri responds positively. Our auto drivers and small business owners are suffering.

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