Mumbai: Given the high consumption of LPG in Mumbai and surrounding areas, the state govt has ordered the formation of a special monitoring committee for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), while ordering measures across the state to ensure uninterrupted availability of domestic cooking gas, in light of the conflict in the Middle East. The committee will be headed by the director of civil supplies and controller of rationing and will include the joint commissioner of police (Mumbai), municipal commissioners or their representatives from cities in the region, officials of oil marketing companies and representatives of LPG distribution agencies.In a govt resolution (GR) issued on March 13, the state food, civil supplies and consumer protection department directed district administrations, civic bodies and oil companies to closely monitor the LPG distribution chain and prevent any shortage or panic among consumers. The directive came in the backdrop of the “war-like situation in the Middle East”, which could potentially affect supplies of LPG and other petroleum products.At the district level, similar committees will be formed under the chairmanship of district collectors. These panels will include police officials, district supply officers, municipal authorities, oil company representatives and gas distributors. Their primary responsibility will be to review the LPG supply chain regularly, monitor stock levels at gas agencies and address logistical bottlenecks that may arise in the distribution network.Officials were directed to ensure that domestic LPG supply remains smooth and that no artificial shortage is created in the market. The circular also called for strict vigilance against hoarding and black marketing of cylinders, warning that those found violating norms will face action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Authorities were also asked to maintain law and order in case supply concerns trigger panic among consumers. Police protection may be provided to vehicles transporting LPG cylinders, as well as to distribution agencies, if required. The govt said priority supply of LPG should be ensured for essential institutions such as hospitals, govt hostels, anganwadis, ashram schools and facilities running the mid-day meal scheme. To address consumer grievances, district administrations and municipal authorities were instructed to set up round-the-clock control rooms. Dedicated helpline and WhatsApp numbers will be publicised to allow citizens to report delays or irregularities in cylinder distribution. Officials were also asked to collect daily information on LPG stock positions from distribution agencies and submit regular reports to the state govt, while exploring alternative fuels such as coal or kerosene for commercial establishments if supply disruptions arise.
