Vijayawada – N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to ensure a seamless supply of domestic LPG cylinders across Andhra Pradesh, stressing that essential institutions must not face any disruption.
During a review at the RTGS Centre, the Chief Minister assessed LPG stock levels, booking patterns, and delivery mechanisms. Officials informed that the state currently has 17,209 metric tonnes of LPG in stock, with distribution handled through over 1,150 agencies operated by major oil companies.
To curb misuse and diversion, Naidu called for wider adoption of technology driven safeguards such as OTP based delivery systems, already implemented for most customers by HPCL. He also instructed departments to restore delivery timelines to around 1.5 days, down from the current 2.5 days, to ease public concerns.
The Chief Minister suggested exploring alternative cooking options like induction stoves and urged coordination with hotel associations to optimise LPG usage during the ongoing supply pressure. He also emphasised expanding long-term infrastructure, including piped gas connections, in collaboration with agencies like ONGC and GAIL.
Officials confirmed that welfare initiatives such as Anna Canteens continue to function without disruption, with supplies maintained through centralised kitchens. Naidu, however, directed continuous monitoring of hospitals, schools, hostels, and community kitchens to prevent any inconvenience.
Authorities indicated that the Centre is expected to allocate additional LPG supplies to southern states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, to stabilise availability.
Meanwhile, Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar dismissed rumours of a shortage, assuring that supply remains adequate. He attributed recent pressure on booking systems to panic driven demand triggered by misinformation, noting that daily deliveries have exceeded average bookings in recent days.