Bombay HC seeks Centre’s reply on LPG supply crunch plea filed by Maharashtra distributors

New Delhi: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has issued notices to the Centre, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), and private firm Confidence Petroleum India Limited after six LPG distributors moved the court over an alleged supply crunch in Maharashtra. 

The court action comes amid rising concern over LPG availability in parts of the state, especially Nagpur and nearby districts. 

According to the petition, the six distributors procure LPG from Confidence Petroleum India Limited and supply it to a wide range of consumers, including households, hotels, small industries and commercial establishments in Nagpur and other districts of Maharashtra.

The distributors have alleged that despite mounting domestic demand and reported shortages, LPG exports are continuing, affecting local availability. 

A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode issued notices while hearing the plea. The petitioners argued that continued exports during a domestic supply crunch are contrary to the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, which, according to them, requires household LPG supply to be prioritised during shortages. 

The legal challenge adds to the growing controversy around LPG availability in Maharashtra, where distributors, commercial users and consumers have reported delays, booking issues and uncertainty over fresh supply.

In Nagpur, stakeholders have publicly pushed back against official claims that the situation is under control, saying both domestic consumers and businesses are facing stress, particularly in the commercial cylinder segment. 

The state administration, however, has maintained that essential fuel supplies remain under watch. Nagpur district officials recently said there was no shortage of petrol, diesel, CNG or LPG, while oil marketing companies indicated that household supplies were being prioritised.

Reports have said public sector oil companies increased LPG allocation to bottling plants and focused supplies on households, hospitals and educational institutions, even as commercial consumers were asked to wait. 

The issue has also triggered confusion over commercial LPG supplies. Earlier this month, the Petroleum Ministry clarified that there was no blanket ban on commercial LPG cylinders, after distributors and hospitality bodies in Maharashtra interpreted a government order as restricting supply to hotels and restaurants. 

Meanwhile, the LPG Distributors Association of India has warned of rising pressure on distributors amid panic buying and crowding at agencies. Some distributors have even sought police protection, saying delivery staff were facing public anger as stocks remained below normal levels and consumers struggled to get clarity on delivery schedules. 

The High Court matter is now expected to test whether LPG exports and domestic prioritisation measures are being implemented in line with the 2026 regulatory framework, at a time when public anxiety over cooking gas availability has intensified in Maharashtra.