Amaravati, March 17 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Tuesday that the state currently has a 14,000-ton LPG reserve, enough to meet demand for the next 15 days.
During a review of the LPG supply chain at the Real Time Governance System (RTGS) with officials, the CM assured that additional stocks would arrive soon to bolster the state's energy security.
"Sufficient gas reserves for another 15 days are available," said Naidu in an official press release, adding that an additional 24,000 tons of LPG is available in Visakhapatnam.
To prevent the illegal diversion of domestic cylinders, the CM mandated the use of e-KYC and OTP for all deliveries.
He directed officials to ensure uninterrupted supply to hospitals, hostels, and temples.
To reduce immediate pressure on LPG, Naidu called for increasing the availability of induction stove stocks in the state.
Urging gas companies to ramp up production and improve supply, he underscored the importance of strengthening the city gas distribution network.
He directed officials to further expand the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network across the state, emphasizing the utilization of natural gas produced within Andhra Pradesh and supplying it to consumers through a piped network.
The CM also advocated for the supply of natural gas produced in the Krishna-Godavari Basin through piped gas infrastructure.
Officials were directed to explore the possibilities of scaling up Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) usage.
Recalling past efforts, Naidu said LNG was allocated to the state and pipelines were laid up to Kondapalli.
Meanwhile, officials briefed the CM on the natural gas supply through CGD networks by AG&P, Bhagyanagar Gas Limited, GGPL, IOCL, and Megha Gas.
They also stated that supply is being carried out through 198 CNG stations and infrastructure is in place to provide 1.68 lakh domestic connections.
Despite the government's assurances, several hotels and eateries across the state are temporarily shutting operations due to a lack of cooking gas.
M Narendra (38), who runs a hotel in Bhimavaram in West Godavari district, complained that since the start of the West Asia war, they have been finding it difficult to procure gas.
"We are unable to replenish gas," he said, adding that although two commercial gas cylinders were purchased, they could not find more.
"Until gas supply stabilizes, no one can make profits. We are running limited operations to retain workers and cooks."
"If they leave, they will not come back, especially cooks. They came from faraway places such as Assam and Odisha. We provide them accommodation. On a daily basis, we spend up to Rs 10,000 on salaries," he said.
He likened the current crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A popular hotel in Vijayawada with a piped gas connection is currently not facing any shortage.
The hotel's management has advised its managers to reduce gas consumption by 20 per cent and consider temporarily shutting down underperforming restaurants and running operations from a single kitchen.
Andhra Pradesh Star Hotels Association president RV Swamy said that culinary fares in buffets have been reduced.
Similarly, the gas shortage has also forced many curry points to reduce their fares and shut down some, among other difficulties.