Residents across Jammu & Kashmir are facing growing frustration as an LPG booking crisis disrupts domestic and commercial gas cylinder availability. Long queues outside gas agencies, failed online bookings, and missing OTP messages have triggered confusion and panic among consumers.

From Jammu city to Srinagar and several district headquarters, people are struggling to book LPG cylinders online or receive confirmation messages. The situation has escalated to the point where gas agencies are seeking police assistance to manage crowds and maintain law and order.

LPG Crisis in J&K: What Consumers Are Experiencing

Across Jammu division and parts of Kashmir, consumers are reporting multiple problems with LPG booking systems.

Key issues faced by consumers

• Online booking failures for LPG cylinders
• OTP or booking confirmation SMS not received
• Long queues outside LPG agencies
• Heated arguments between consumers and agency staff
• Shortage of commercial gas cylinders

Reports from Jammu, Srinagar, Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, Udhampur, Poonch, Doda, and Kishtwar suggest that the crisis has spread across multiple districts.

In several areas, consumers who attempted online bookings were unable to complete the process due to system errors.

Others who successfully booked cylinders said they never received confirmation SMS or OTP messages, forcing them to visit gas agencies in person.

Massive Rush at Gas Agencies

Due to the online booking disruption, thousands of consumers have started visiting LPG outlets directly.

This has led to:

• Long waiting lines outside gas agencies
• Overcrowding at LPG distribution points
• Arguments and clashes between consumers and staff

Some gas agency managers have reportedly requested district administrations to deploy police personnel to manage crowds and prevent law and order issues.

In certain locations in Jammu district, agency staff members were reportedly manhandled during heated confrontations.

Why LPG Booking SMS and OTP Are Not Coming

The State Level Coordinator (SLC) of LPG Marketing Companies clarified that the issue is not a technical failure but a temporary control mechanism to prevent panic hoarding.

Officials revealed that many consumers started stockpiling LPG cylinders due to panic about supply disruptions, especially amid global tensions and supply concerns.

To prevent black marketing and hoarding:

• A 30-day booking restriction has been enforced.
• Consumers attempting to book before 25–30 days of their previous refill will not receive OTP or booking confirmation.
• The system automatically rejects early booking attempts.

This step has been implemented by the three major oil companies operating in the region:

• HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum)
• IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation)
• BPCL (Bharat Petroleum)

Officials say the system will soon be upgraded to clearly notify consumers when early booking is attempted.

LPG Supply in Jammu & Kashmir: Is There Really a Shortage?

Despite the panic among consumers, authorities insist that there is no actual shortage of LPG in Jammu & Kashmir.

According to officials:

• The region has adequate LPG stock for at least 15 days.
• Tankers are continuously arriving from Bari Brahmana and Lalru plants near Ambala.
• Supplies are also being routed through the Pampore LPG Plant to serve the Kashmir Valley.

Across Jammu & Kashmir:

• 217 LPG outlets supply domestic gas cylinders
• 757 petrol pumps operate in the region

Essential services like Army units, paramilitary forces, J&K Police, orphanages, and old age homes are also receiving uninterrupted fuel supplies.

Commercial Cylinder Supply Disrupted

While domestic supply remains stable, commercial LPG cylinders have been affected in some areas.

Hotel owners, restaurant operators, tea stall vendors, and halwais claim they have not received commercial cylinders for several days.

Many businesses say they have been forced to shift temporarily to alternate fuels to continue operations.

Gas agency managers say the commercial supply is being regulated and normal distribution will resume shortly.

Districts Worst Hit by LPG Rush

The rush for LPG cylinders appears more intense in several districts.

Areas reporting major difficulties

• Kishtwar
• Doda
• Poonch
• Kathua
• Samba
• Rajouri
• Udhampur
• Jammu city

Consumers in these districts say they are struggling to get cylinders despite repeated attempts to book them online.

Government Monitoring the Situation

Authorities say the situation is being closely monitored by multiple departments.

Joint teams from:

• Food & Supplies Department
• Legal Metrology Department
• Oil Marketing Companies

have been deployed to monitor distribution and prevent black marketing or hoarding.

Deputy Commissioners across districts have also been instructed to keep a close watch on LPG supply.

Officials have urged residents not to panic or stockpile cylinders unnecessarily.

The Real Cause: Panic Buying

Experts believe the crisis is largely driven by panic buying triggered by global uncertainty and supply fears.

The ongoing conflict in Gulf regions, which are major energy suppliers, has raised concerns among consumers about potential fuel disruptions.

However, authorities say Jammu & Kashmir has sufficient reserves due to winter stocking practices, especially for regions like Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley.

What Consumers in Jammu & Kashmir Should Do

To avoid unnecessary trouble, consumers should follow these guidelines:

Practical tips for LPG users

• Avoid booking cylinders before 30 days of previous refill
• Do not rush to gas agencies unless booking is confirmed
• Avoid panic buying or hoarding cylinders
• Follow official updates from oil companies and administration

Officials say that normal booking and supply systems will stabilize soon.