Mamata holds review meeting on LPG crisis, calls for SOP and rationing of cylinders

KOLKATA

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) to review the shortage of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), and other petroleum products which are affecting people across the State.

Also read: LPG crisis updates on March 11, 2026

Ms. Banerjee said that companies supplying LPG and CNG should come up with a standard operating procedure and start rationing supplies.

The Chief Minister said that her government will not allow hoarding of gas cylinders and has instructed District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to that effect. She, however, added that the numbers to book gas cylinders online should start working. The meeting was held at Soujanya Auditorium in Alipore. Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty and Director General of Police Peeyush Pandey were present at the meeting along with representatives of the LPG and CNG distribution companies.

Ms. Banerjee said that State’s Industries Secretary Vandana Srivastava will be the nodal officer for coordinating with LPG and CNG distribution companies.

Centre should monitor the situation

Observing that the distribution of petroleum products is the Central Government’s responsibility, the Chief Minister said that the focus should be on “planning and monitoring” of the situation. Ms. Banerjee said that she does not want to make the issue political. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister spoke to at least two television news channels and indicated that she might conduct protests on the situation.

On March 8, the Chief Minister and other members of Trinamool Congress held protests over an increase in prices of domestic cooking gas by ₹60 per cylinder.

People across the State were seen crowding the offices of distribution agencies. Many people complained that they have run out of LPG and cannot book a refill. Some schools said that they have no LPG to cook midday meals, while some state-run hospitals complained that they have a limited supply of fuel to cook food for patients. Several restaurant associations have warned that continued supply constraints could disrupt operations and may even force temporary closures if the situation persists.

Supply concerns have also impacted urban transport, particularly autorickshaws, which depend on CNG. On some routes auto rickshaws have increased fares because of the unavailability of CNG.