A widening LPG crisis in Uttar Pradesh has exposed a black marketing network after a surprise raid in Banda district found more than 700 cylinders missing in a single day, even as official records showed adequate stock.
For days, long queues outside gas agencies had been growing, with people waiting under the sun and returning empty-handed. Many said they had been visiting for four to five days without getting a refill.
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“We come every day, but there is no gas. It is being sold at higher rates elsewhere,” a consumer said.
RAID REVEALS GAP BETWEEN RECORDS AND REALITY
Acting on complaints, a team led by SDM Naman Mehta carried out a sudden inspection of gas agencies, hotels and restaurants on the instructions of the District Magistrate.
What they found sharply contradicted the official data.
At one agency, 916 domestic cylinders were recorded on the portal. On the ground, only 310 were found.
Similarly, while 115 commercial cylinders were listed, not a single cylinder was available during the inspection.
Officials say this points to diversion and black marketing of more than 700 cylinders in just one day.
DOMESTIC CYLINDERS DIVERTED FOR COMMERCIAL USE
The inspection also revealed that hotels were using domestic LPG cylinders instead of commercial ones, worsening the shortage for households.
“Under the DM’s directions, inspections were carried out at gas agencies, hotels and restaurants. The stock shown on the portal did not match what was found on the ground,” SDM Naman Mehta said.
FIR REGISTERED, ACTION INITIATED
Following the findings, the administration registered FIRs in both cases — the missing cylinders and the misuse of domestic LPG. A detailed report has been submitted, and further legal action is underway.
Officials have warned that strict action will follow in similar cases.
The crisis comes at a time when concerns over LPG supply have been rising due to global tensions, including the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. While authorities maintain supply is sufficient, the situation on the ground tells a different story.
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With inputs from Siddhartha Gupta
Published By:
Sonali Verma
Published On:
Mar 19, 2026 13:49 IST
