Despite the government doubling daily allocations of 5-kg LPG cylinders to stabilize supplies disrupted by the West Asia conflict, high upfront costs, low awareness, and inconsistent availability are keeping them out of reach for migrant workers and students. Of the 1,368 cylinders set aside daily, only about 50-55% are being purchased from Oil Marketing Companies.
The government has doubled the daily allocation of 5-kg LPG cylinders to stabilize fuel supplies disrupted by the conflict in West Asia. These cylinders, known as free trade LPG (FTL), are intended for migrant workers and students.
An official source told The Hindu that although 1,368 such cylinders are set aside daily, only about 50-55% are being purchased from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). A 5-kg cylinder refill costs around ₹550 (₹110 per kg), compared to ₹913 for a 14.2-kg domestic cylinder (₹64.2 per kg), making it roughly 71% more expensive per kg.
The initial purchase is steeper at about ₹1,550, including the cylinder and gas. High upfront costs, lack of awareness, and inconsistent availability remain key barriers. Migrant workers in Delhi are struggling to access them.
