LPG refill bookings: 45-day wait for rural consumers cut to 25 days

The Centre has reduced the waiting period for booking domestic LPG refills in rural areas from 45 days to 25 days, bringing it in line with the interval applicable to urban consumers.

The change was announced on Monday by Suresh Gopi, Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Tourism. The government said the decision comes as the LPG supply situation has improved and the backlog of refill bookings has declined significantly.

Rural consumers can now book every 25 days

The booking restrictions had been introduced amid pressure on LPG supplies following the conflict in the Middle East. Under the earlier arrangement, consumers in urban areas could book a refill after 25 days, while those in rural areas had to wait 45 days.

Gopi said the situation has since improved, allowing the government to ease the restriction for domestic LPG consumers across the country.

"However, in view of the current LPG supply situation improving and the significant reduction in refill backlog, the central government has relaxed this restriction. Now, all domestic LPG consumers, regardless of urban or rural, can book refills at an interval of 25 days," he wrote in a Facebook post.

Petroleum Ministry directs OMCs

The revised booking interval will apply uniformly to domestic LPG consumers in both rural and urban areas.

The minister also shared a copy of a letter issued by the Petroleum Ministry to oil marketing companies (OMCs), directing them to implement the revised interval immediately.

The move effectively reduces the waiting period for rural households by 20 days. Consumers in rural areas who previously had to wait 45 days between refill bookings will now be able to place a fresh booking after 25 days.

The government’s decision follows the easing of supply-related pressure and the reduction in pending LPG refill demand, according to the minister.