An industry body warned that the continuation of the crisis, particularly for migrants, could lead to a labour shortage, which would impact construction activities and industrial output
Gurgaon: In less than 24 hours, the LPG control room set up by the district administration received nearly 1,000 calls, most of them desperate requests for gas cylinders.The helpline, originally established to tackle black marketing, booking delays, and delivery issues, has effectively turned into a support line for residents struggling to obtain cylinders.
Officials said the situation is particularly difficult for migrant workers, who lack proper documentation and have long depended on the informal market for cooking gas.Since the onset of the LPG crisis, black-market availability has sharply declined while prices have surged, putting additional strain on low-income families. The administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal LPG trading has further restricted supplies in the informal network, worsening the situation for migrant workers who have few alternatives.
Authorities are now assessing additional measures to stabilise supply and address the growing distress among vulnerable groups.An industry body warned that the continuation of the crisis, particularly for migrants, could lead to a labour shortage, which would impact construction activities and industrial output.To strengthen the grievance redressal system, a dedicated 24×7 control room for LPG-related issues was established in the NIC room on the second floor of the mini secretariat on Tuesday.
It allows the general public to register complaints regarding the unavailability of gas cylinders, delays in supply, black marketing, or illegal storage.“The phone line has not stopped ringing since Tuesday. Most of the calls are requests to arrange gas cylinders,” an official said, adding that calls were coming not only from Gurgaon but also from Delhi and Rajasthan.District food and supplies controller Ashok Rawat said that all complaints received on the control room’s landline number (0124-2868930) will be resolved on a priority basis.
He clarified that concerned officers will immediately investigate and take action on complaints related to black marketing and illegal storage. Authorities have appealed to the public to report any irregularities related to LPG so that strict action can be taken in time.Gurgaon has 11 lakh LPG connections, but a large number of migrants do not have formal connections and primarily depend on the informal market for cylinders.
“Earlier, LPG cylinders were easily available in nearby areas. Now, it has become very difficult to get one, and prices have gone out of our reach,” said Manish, a security guard in the Udyog Vihar area.Six teams are actively working in the field daily to curb black marketing of LPG in the district. They are continuously inspecting gas agencies, warehouses, and other suspicious locations. Currently, 58 gas agencies have a total stock of 15,311 cylinders, ensuring uninterrupted supply.However, the crackdown on black marketing has further complicated the situation for migrants. “All the focus is on ensuring smooth delivery after booking through gas agencies. While this has helped those with proper connections, it has left migrants out,” an official said, adding that there is currently no mechanism to support those dependent on the informal market.The industry body also noted that supply constraints are prompting many workers to consider returning to their home states. Progressive Federation of Trade and Industry chairman Deepak Maini said, “The situation has become so critical that many workers are being forced to go back to their home states, which could lead to a severe shortage of labour in industries.”
