Fearing a shortage of LPG during the upcoming Char Dham Yatra beginning April 19, the Uttarakhand government on Tuesday asked the Centre to provide an additional supply of nearly 50,000 commercial cooking gas cylinders to the state to meet exigencies.
The government has sought around five percent additional commercial LPG supply between June and September of the pilgrimage season.
State Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan said the state government has written to the Centre requesting that the existing 100 percent quota be maintained, along with an additional five percent supply of commercial LPG cylinders, amid concerns of a possible LPG crisis due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Bardhan said the request was made keeping in view that Uttarakhand’s economy is primarily driven by the Char Dham Yatra and tourism.
“Demand for commercial LPG rises significantly due to the heavy influx of pilgrims and tourists from April to November. It intensifies further during the monsoon months between June and September due to the high risk of natural disasters. LPG serves as a critical fuel for relief and rescue operations during this period,” he said.
“In view of the emerging challenges, the state government has written to the Centre requesting adequate stock of LPG cylinders in the state, especially commercial cylinders,” he added.
He further stated that the letter seeks the maintenance of 100 percent allocation of commercial LPG for Uttarakhand from April to November, along with an additional five percent special stock for disaster relief operations.
The state requires nearly 9,67,949 commercial LPG cylinders during the yatra period and an additional 48,397 cylinders for disaster contingencies.
Bardhan also said that an enforcement drive has been underway since March 9, 2026, to ensure transparency, prevent hoarding, and maintain a smooth LPG supply across the state.
The Chief Secretary has directed all district magistrates to keep constant vigil on cooking gas supplies in their respective areas and to intensify enforcement to prevent black marketing and artificial shortages created by unscrupulous elements or hoarders. He also asked district administrations to curb tendencies such as panic booking and hoarding of LPG cylinders.