Oil marketing companies shut auto LPG supply in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi

Amid concerns about short-supply of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to hotels and other ‘non-essential’ customers, public sector oil marketing companies have stopped supplying auto LPG to dispensing stations in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Amid concerns about short-supply of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to hotels and other ‘non-essential’ customers, public sector oil marketing companies have stopped supplying auto LPG to dispensing stations in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

“We have not been receiving the supply since Thursday,” said Satish N. Kamath, a Hindustan Petroleum Corporation dealer in Padubidri, Udupi district on Tuesday. This has pushed those using auto LPG as a fuel, particularly the autorickshaw drivers, into deep trouble, he said.

Mr. Kamath said the OMCs, instead of completely shutting the supply, could have rationed the supplies so that poor autorickshaw drivers would have made a living. Many owners and drivers have modified their vehicles by removing petrol tanks altogether and they are the ones severely affected, he said.

The auto LPG demand in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts is about 20 kilo litres per day, with about 12 dealers of PSU companies distributing the same.

Mr. Kamath also said private companies might have been delivering auto LPG as at present; however, they too might have to shut dispensing once supply stops.

The scene at a few private auto LPG dispensing stations in Mangaluru was a bit different on Tuesday, with autorickshaws running on LPG getting refuelled. Bunk operators said the supply has not completely been stopped; but there has been staggered supply.