Indane LPG Booking System Crashes Amid Panic Bookings Over Supply Fears
Hyderabad / New Delhi, March 12, 2026:
The LPG booking system of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Indane Gas) has reportedly crashed across several parts of the country following an unprecedented surge in booking attempts by consumers amid fears of a possible LPG supply disruption.
According to officials, the sudden spike in refill bookings overwhelmed the company’s Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) and missed-call booking services, which are widely used by millions of households. Call volumes reportedly surged eight to ten times higher than normal, causing severe server overload and temporary failure of the booking platforms.
Panic Bookings Trigger System Overload
Sources within Indian Oil said the unusual rush was triggered by widespread concerns over LPG supply due to rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, with the involvement of the United States, has disrupted shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which nearly 80–90 percent of India’s LPG imports are transported.
Fearing potential shortages, many households rushed to book refills in advance. The sudden demand spike was also observed among commercial users such as hotels and restaurants. As a result, distributor offices in several cities witnessed long queues, while digital booking channels struggled to cope with the heavy traffic.
Policy Change Adds to Consumer Anxiety
Industry sources indicated that anxiety among consumers was further heightened after the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas temporarily increased the mandatory interval between LPG refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days. The measure was introduced to prevent hoarding and black marketing during the current supply uncertainty.
However, instead of calming the market, the change reportedly triggered a wave of precautionary bookings, pushing demand up by nearly 50 percent in some regions.
Government Assures No Domestic LPG Shortage
The government has sought to reassure citizens that there is no nationwide shortage of LPG for domestic consumers. Officials emphasised that household supplies remain the top priority, along with essential services such as hospitals, schools and public institutions.
Public sector oil marketing companies — Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited — have reportedly increased production at their refineries by 10 to 25 percent to stabilise supply. In addition, two LNG cargo shipments are currently on their way to India to augment availability.
Senior officials from the Petroleum Ministry said LPG deliveries are continuing normally, with average delivery timelines of around two to three days after booking in most areas.
Crackdown on Hoarding and Black Marketing
Authorities have also invoked emergency provisions under the Essential Commodities Act to ensure fair distribution and prevent hoarding. Enforcement teams have been directed to monitor illegal diversion of domestic cylinders for commercial use and take strict action against black marketing.
Officials stressed that panic behaviour and repeated booking attempts are themselves contributing to system congestion and unnecessary supply pressure.
Consumers Advised to Use Digital Booking Options
To reduce pressure on voice-based booking systems, Indian Oil has advised consumers to use alternative digital platforms such as:
- IndianOil ONE mobile application
- WhatsApp LPG booking service
- Online portals including mylpg.in and indianoil.in
- BBPS-enabled payment platforms such as PhonePe, Paytm and Amazon Pay
Consumers have also been advised to attempt bookings during off-peak hours after 10 PM, when system traffic is lower.
Situation Being Closely Monitored
Officials stated that the government is closely monitoring developments in West Asia and working to diversify supply sources to ensure uninterrupted LPG availability in the country.
Authorities have urged citizens to avoid panic bookings and ignore rumours, stressing that domestic LPG supplies remain stable and adequate for household consumption.
