Tinsukia: Elderly women carrying children, rain-drenched villagers, and anxious homemakers queued for hours outside LPG distribution centres across Assam on Wednesday, turning a routine cylinder refill into a prolonged ordeal despite official assurances of uninterrupted supply.
Long queues were reported at multiple gas agencies as consumers rushed to secure refills, driven by a mix of misinformation, language barriers, persistent rainfall, and fears of disruption linked to ongoing US–Israel–Iran tensions in West Asia.
Many consumers returned empty-handed after waiting in the rain, their concerns amplified by unverified social media messages claiming that LPG imports could be halted for months.
“The messages come only in English; we don’t understand a word. We gave a missed call thinking our booking was confirmed, but the counter told us nothing was registered. Now we go back empty-handed,” said an elderly woman from a rural area near Tinsukia, reflecting widespread confusion among consumers.
Officials maintained that all registered bookings are being processed on time, with home delivery functioning in several districts. However, those without prior online confirmation faced delays.
Rural areas witnessed the heaviest rush, where rumours spread rapidly, and fears of supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz prompted stockpiling.
District administrations and the state government have issued advisories against hoarding and urged consumers to rely on official booking platforms. Police have warned of strict action against rumour-mongers.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) Assam stated that four local refineries are producing around 1,200 metric tonnes of LPG daily, maintaining sufficient stock for 11 to 13 days and meeting current demand without any domestic shortage.
At the national level, India is facing a severe LPG supply strain, importing nearly 60–67 percent of its requirement, with about 90 percent transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
Disruptions have led to a reported 17.3 percent drop in sales in early March. The Centre is engaging with Iran and other stakeholders to ensure safe maritime passage. Two LPG tankers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, have already docked at Indian ports following diplomatic clearance, while negotiations continue for six more vessels carrying an estimated 270,000 tonnes.
Authorities have imposed a 25-day refill interval to discourage panic buying and are promoting piped natural gas where available. Despite national pressures, Assam’s local production buffer has kept supply stable.
Officials asserted that the queues are a result of fear and miscommunication rather than any actual shortage.
As rains persisted and anxiety lingered, authorities reiterated a clear message: verified bookings and public calm remain essential to preventing a crisis driven more by perception than reality.