Shimla/Dehradun/Chandigarh: Even as the Centre maintains there is “no major shortage,” the LPG situation across Himachal, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and Leh-Ladakh continues to spiral on the ground, exposing serious cracks in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and regulatory oversight.
In a bid to ease the pressure, the Government of India, has rolled out missed-call and WhatsApp-based LPG booking systems to bypass local-level bottlenecks.
📞 INDANE LPG Booking & WhatsApp Numbers
For Indian Oil Corporation (INDANE LPG):
Missed Call Booking: 8454955555
WhatsApp Booking: 7588888824
Shimla Agencies Under Scanner
In Shimla, complaints have mounted against several distributors, especially in Sanjauli:
Uttam Gas Agency
Shiva Gas Agency
Vaneet Gas Agency
Sanjauli Gas Service
Residents allege delays, diversion and overcharging—classic signs of artificial scarcity.
As per the Himachal Pradesh Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department website, dozens of LPG distributors are officially registered across districts like Shimla, Mandi, Kangra and Kullu. These include agencies linked to:
INDANE (Indian Oil)
HP Gas (Hindustan Petroleum)
Bharat Gas (Bharat Petroleum)
The department maintains that:
Adequate LPG stocks are allocated district-wise
Distribution is monitored through the PDS framework. The grievance systems are in place, claims the officials.
PDS System Under Fire
However, the crisis has exposed a harsh truth:
The PDS-linked LPG distribution system is not working properly on the ground.
Consumers and activists allege: No real-time monitoring of agency stock. Weak field inspections by Food & Civil Supplies officials
No deterrence against hoarding and black marketing
Complaints portals are largely ineffective
In effect, while the system exists on paper, implementation has collapsed at the last mile.
The same pattern is visible in Mandi, Dharamshala and Dehradun, where:
Consumers are forced into advance bookings.Cylinders are allegedly diverted to commercial buyers. Delivery timelines remain uncertain
While global supply disruptions due to West Asia tensions are being cited, experts say the bigger issue is administrative failure.
“This is not just a supply issue—it’s a governance breakdown,” say consumer groups.
Despite official claims and helpline interventions, the LPG crisis has exposed deep flaws in regulation and enforcement.
Unless the Himachal Pradesh Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department and district administrations act decisively, the PDS system risks losing credibility.
For consumers across resent thay the system meant to protect them is failing when they need it the most. The things can go worse if the war continues and private distributors and companies are not brought to book.
#LPGCrisis #HimachalPradesh #BlackMarketing #PDSFailure
