THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
APRIL 2, 2026
In a decisive move to
ensure uninterrupted fuel availability and strengthen consumer protection, the
Odisha Government has intensified measures to streamline the supply of LPG and
petroleum products across the state. A high-level review meeting held on Thursday
under the joint chairmanship of Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna
Chandra Patra and Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra
Mahapatra focused on accelerating the transition to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and
implementing robust digital safeguards to enhance transparency in fuel
distribution.
During the meeting,
Minister Patra issued a stern warning against black-marketing and
irregularities in the supply chain, directing gas agencies to strictly
implement biometric authentication for all deliveries using both fingerprint
and iris verification systems. He clarified that households obtaining PNG
connections must surrender their existing LPG connections to ensure optimal
utilization of resources. To facilitate faster rollout of PNG infrastructure,
District Collectors have been instructed to extend full administrative cooperation
to gas companies for smooth pipeline laying operations.
Emphasizing the
long-term sustainability of urban energy systems, Minister Mahapatra
underscored the importance of reducing dependence on LPG in urban centres and
urged government offices and commercial establishments to adopt PNG connections
at the earliest. He assured that the Housing & Urban Development Department
will provide expedited approvals to support the transition. Recognizing the
surge in energy demand during major religious events, the Minister directed
officials to prioritize PNG infrastructure development in Puri ahead of the
forthcoming Rath Yatra.
Principal Secretary, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department, Sanjay Kumar Singh, highlighted the government’s commitment to preventing “ghost deliveries” by ensuring 100 percent compliance with the Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) system. He reassured citizens that there is no cause for concern regarding fuel availability, noting that a dedicated 24-hour control room is closely monitoring the supply situation. Representatives from leading oil companies informed the meeting that a steady five-day buffer stock is being maintained, with real-time inventory updates being shared with the department on a daily basis.
As part of its consumer-centric approach, the state has identified essential public service institutions such as schools, Anganwadi centres, Aahar Kendras and hospitals as priority sectors to receive uninterrupted fuel supply, reinforcing Odisha’s commitment to ensuring energy security while advancing towards a cleaner and more efficient fuel ecosystem.
