Oil cos seek comm gas customer data

Kolkata: Oil marketing companies have asked LPG distributors in Bengal to submit detailed data on priority and non-priority commercial custom-ers and their consumption patterns.

The move comes amid concerns over supply disruptions, prompting Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the state-level convener for oil and gas, to convene a high-level meeting on Wednesday with OMCs and CNG operators to explore mitigation measures.


The meeting was chaired by Jitendra Kumar, state-level coordinator of IOC, and attended by K M Thakur, chief general manager (LPG), along with representatives from BPCL, HPCL, Bengal Gas and IOC Adani. "The objective is to assess demand and find alternative supply options for non-priority commercial consumers, like hotels and restaurants," Thakur said.

"We have requested CNG operators to supply gas to commercial customers," he said.

CNG supply can be extended to commercial establishments in Kalyani, Panagarh, Durgapur and the Borjora industrial belt. In Kolkata, businesses may be advised to coordinate with piped natural gas (PNG) provider Bengal Gas.

Authorities also sought data on households using PNG. "We may stop LPG supply there and divert it for commercial use," an official said.