LPG prices soar to Rs580 per kg amid gas shortages in Hyderabad

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices have surged to Rs580 per kilogram in Hyderabad as persistent natural gas shortages force households to

HYDERABAD: Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices have surged to Rs580 per kilogram in Hyderabad as persistent natural gas shortages force households to rely on alternative fuel for cooking.

The soaring prices have placed an additional burden on consumers, with retailers reportedly charging between Rs550 and Rs580 per kilogram against the official rate of Rs279.34 fixed by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for October.

The city’s daily LPG demand has exceeded 50 tonnes as residents increasingly turn to the fuel amid an unreliable supply from Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). The price difference has also triggered disputes between consumers and shopkeepers.

Abdul Qadir, general secretary of the LPG Union Association Hyderabad, alleged that producers were supplying LPG to retailers at prices significantly above the official rate. He said some suppliers were charging Rs520 per kilogram or more, leaving retailers to add transportation and other expenses.

Qadir said the association had repeatedly approached OGRA, LPG companies and local administration officials to seek action against the rising prices. Meetings had also been held with representatives of LPG plants, but the situation remained unchanged.

He identified five LPG plants operating in the wider Hyderabad-Jamshoro region, including three in Hyderabad, one in Jamshoro and another in Kotri. He added that reducing government taxes could help bring prices down.

Around 250 shops across Hyderabad district sell LPG. Besides domestic consumers, the fuel is widely used by rickshaws, Qingqi vehicles, mini-taxis, Suzuki vehicles, hotels, restaurants and tea stalls. The rising cost has also added to pressure on food prices.

Meanwhile, prolonged natural gas shortages continue to disrupt household routines. Domestic consumers reportedly receive gas for three hours at a time, three times daily. Low pressure and delayed restoration further aggravate the problem, with residents complaining that air often passes through pipelines for the first 15 to 20 minutes of scheduled supply.

Separately, women from Amani Shah Colony in Latifabad Unit 11 staged a protest at Khuda Hafiz Board Chari against prolonged gas outages. The demonstrators chanted slogans against SSGC management, while the protest disrupted traffic in the area.

The continuing shortages and sharp increase in LPG prices have intensified public frustration, leaving many households struggling to meet their daily cooking needs.