Sri Vijaya Puram, November 3: Residents of Durgapur in North and Middle Andaman have protested a prolonged shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), claiming that the area has not received a fresh supply for nearly three months. With Diwali approaching, the continued disruption has raised concerns among households struggling to secure an essential cooking fuel.
The situation drew administrative attention on Monday night, when Assistant Commissioner S. Krishna Chaitanya, DANICS, visited the area at around 9.30 pm and heard the grievances and demands of residents.
The officer appealed to the protesters to call off their agitation, assuring them that approximately 25–30 days would be required to resolve the issue. However, the assurance leaves residents facing the prospect of waiting several more weeks for relief.
The specific reasons behind the disruption and the measures planned to restore supplies were not immediately available.
For families who say they have been waiting months for LPG, the shortage is more than an inconvenience. Cooking gas is a daily necessity, and prolonged gaps in distribution can leave households struggling to manage routine meals and other domestic needs. The approaching festival has added urgency to their demand for an early resolution.
Separate Disruptions
The latest protest comes amid several LPG supply complaints reported by The Wave Andaman from different parts of the Islands over the past six months. However, these have involved separate localities and varying circumstances and should not be treated as a single, island-wide disruption.
In May 2026, The Wave Andaman reported an LPG shortage in Little Andaman, where residents of Rabindra Nagar, V.K. Pur and parts of R.K. Pur faced inadequate supplies over approximately two-and-a-half months. The report highlighted the gap between local demand and the number of cylinders distributed.
In July, a separate shortage was reported in Great Nicobar after the last recorded consignment had arrived in April. Residents linked the disruption to the lack of suitable cargo vessels to transport cylinders from South Andaman. The Administration subsequently pursued alternative transportation arrangements, including seeking assistance from the Indian Navy.
In September, residents of Ward No. 24 in Bathubasti also raised concerns over irregular LPG distribution. Councillor Kavitha Udhayakumar sought administrative intervention over the supply situation involving Reem Indane Gas Agency. A separate representation to the Chief Secretary that month raised concerns about delayed refills in parts of the Islands.
While these cases point to recurring difficulties in ensuring timely LPG distribution across the archipelago, the causes and circumstances reported in each area differ. There is no confirmation that the Durgapur shortage is linked to the disruptions reported elsewhere.
Supply Concerns
In April, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) stated that petroleum products and LPG supplies across the Islands were adequate, with distribution being maintained through regular supply arrangements. The company also said it was monitoring demand and coordinating with the Administration to maintain supply stability.
In October, The Wave Andaman reported on the launch of the MT IRIS barge and discussions on additional vessels, expanded LPG storage and new distributors to strengthen fuel supply infrastructure across the Islands.
These broader measures underline the importance of reliable transportation and distribution in an archipelago where many communities depend on shipments from the main supply hub. However, assurances about overall availability do not necessarily establish whether cylinders are reaching individual localities on time.
For Durgapur residents, the immediate concern remains when fresh supplies will arrive and regular distribution resume. The administration’s 25–30-day timeline will be closely watched by households seeking relief from the prolonged shortage.
