77% Bengaluru Households Struggle To Book LPG Cylinders As Survey Flags Delivery Delays And Black Marketing

Last Updated:March 14, 2026, 15:55 IST

Currently, a 16-kg domestic LPG cylinder in Bengaluru is reportedly being sold on the black market for anywhere between Rs 1,600 and Rs 3,000

Amid growing concerns over an LPG supply crunch and the impact of geopolitical tensions in West Asia on global energy supply chains, a new nationwide survey has found that many Indian households are struggling to access cooking gas, with Bengaluru among the worst affected.

A large number of households across India are facing difficulties in accessing cooking gas, with many reporting delivery delays and black marketing of LPG cylinders. A new nationwide survey has found that the problem is particularly severe in Bengaluru, where 77% of respondents said they had trouble booking or receiving a domestic LPG cylinder.

The findings come from a survey conducted by LocalCircles, which collected more than 57,000 responses from household consumers across 309 districts in India. Among these, 7,669 responses were from residents of Bengaluru.

According to the survey, 57% of Indian household consumers reported experiencing delivery delays or black marketing of domestic LPG cylinders within the past week. The report highlights growing concern among households about the availability of cooking gas, particularly as geopolitical tensions in West Asia raise fears of disruptions in global energy supply chains.

In Bengaluru, the difficulties appear more widespread. Of the 77% residents who reported problems accessing domestic cylinders, 39% said their dealers informed them that cylinders were either unavailable or that delivery would be delayed. Another 16% said they had to wait significantly longer than usual for delivery, while 33% were told that there was a shortage of supply.

The survey also pointed to the increasing role of the black market. About 12% of respondents in Bengaluru said they had been forced to purchase LPG cylinders from unofficial sources at higher prices. Among these consumers, more than 16% reported paying over ₹500 extra per cylinder.

Currently, a 16-kg domestic LPG cylinder in Bengaluru is reportedly being sold on the black market for anywhere between Rs 1,600 and Rs 3,000. The situation has been particularly challenging for vulnerable households, including those with senior citizens, some of whom are relying on assistance from neighbours or local community networks.

The survey further found that 43% of respondents in Bengaluru said either they or someone in their neighbourhood had purchased LPG cylinders outside the official distribution system during the past week.

Across India, 36% of households that reported black marketing in their area said middlemen were charging an additional Rs 100 to Rs 500 per cylinder. The findings suggest that supply constraints and distribution issues are increasingly affecting access to cooking gas for many households.

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