LPG refill booking gap cut to 25 days from 45: What consumers need to know

The government has reduced the waiting period for booking a domestic LPG refill from 45 days to 25 days, bringing relief to consumers, particularly those in rural areas.Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi announced the change on Monday. The new 25-day booking gap will apply uniformly to domestic LPG consumers in both urban and rural areas, with immediate effect.WHY WAS THE LPG BOOKING GAP INTRODUCED?The government had introduced different booking intervals earlier this year as a temporary measure to manage LPG demand amid pressure on supplies following the conflict in the Middle East.In March 2026, the Petroleum Ministry had set a 25-day booking gap for consumers in urban areas and 45 days for those in rural areas. The measure was aimed at managing demand and ensuring that LPG supplies remained available during a period of uncertainty.The government has now decided to revise the arrangement as the LPG supply situation has improved and refill backlogs have reduced considerably.WHAT CHANGES FOR LPG CONSUMERS? Under the revised rule, all domestic LPG consumers can book their next refill after a gap of 25 days, irrespective of whether they live in an urban or rural area.The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has directed state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) — Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) — to implement the new rule immediately.For rural consumers, this means the maximum booking interval has effectively been reduced by 20 days.The ministry said the decision was taken after reviewing the current LPG supply position and the significant reduction in refill backlogs compared with the situation when the demand-management measures were introduced.The move was aimed at boosting domestic cooking-gas production and improving the country's ability to deal with possible supply disruptions.With the LPG supply position now improving, the government has brought the booking interval for domestic consumers in rural and urban areas on a common 25-day schedule.- EndsPublished On: Sep 7, 2026 19:17 IST