**Executive Summary:**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3018 concerning incidents of fire and explosion of LPG cylinders, theft of gas, and illegal cylinder filling across the country. It outlines the reasons for LPG cylinder accidents, safety measures implemented by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), and actions taken against illegal activities in Awantipora and Bhopal. The report also highlights a safety campaign conducted between March 2024 and December 2024.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Causes of LPG Accidents:**
* Pilferage from cylinders.
* Transfer of LPG from domestic to non-domestic cylinders.
* Use of non-approved/non-standard equipment.
* Improper handling at consumer premises.
* Failure to periodically change hosepipes.
* Failure of O-rings.
* Leakage from LPG hoses and stoves.
* Cylinder bursting due to extreme heat.
* **Safety Measures by OMCs:**
* LPG connections released after meeting all safety norms.
* Compliance with safety standards ensured through:
* Regulation under Gas Cylinder Rules 2016.
* Governance under Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order 2000.
* Periodic safety testing as per Petroleum Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) norms.
* Supply of safety cards with pictorial instructions to PMUY beneficiaries.
* Installation by trained mechanics.
* Safety clinics and awareness programs.
* 24/7 helpline (1906) for leakage complaints.
* Mass awareness programs through various media.
* Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayats.
* **Basic Safety Campaign (March 2024 - December 2024):**
* Theme: "Khushiyan Ab Teen Guna."
* Objective: Educate consumers on safe usage of LPG.
* Activities: Mass awareness initiatives, onsite safety checks, replacement of Suraksha hoses.
* Achievements: 12.12 crore free safety checks, 4.65 crore LPG hoses replaced at discounted rates.
* **Accident Statistics:**
* Accidents reduced from 2.13 per million in FY 2022-23 to 0.97 per million in FY 2024-25.
* **Actions Against Illegal Activities:**
* Awantipora (June 2025): HPCL contracted tanker suspended for illegal filling.
* Bhopal (February 2025): Seizure of 55 domestic cylinders at an unauthorized location; Legal action initiated.
* Bhopal (Talaiya): Seizure of 15 LPG cylinders; Shopkeeper booked under the Essential Commodities Act.
* Ajmer: No such incident reported in January 2025.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Domestic LPG Consumers:**
* *Impact:* Increased safety through enhanced safety measures, awareness programs, and access to safety checks and discounted hose replacements.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to safety guidelines provided, participate in awareness programs, and utilize available resources like the helpline for leakage complaints.
* **PMUY Beneficiaries:**
* *Impact:* Enhanced awareness and safety through dedicated programs like Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayats and distribution of safety cards.
* *Action Required:* Attend LPG Panchayats, follow safety instructions on the safety card, and ensure proper installation and maintenance of LPG connections.
* **Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing and ensuring compliance with safety norms, conducting awareness campaigns, and taking action against illegal activities.
* *Action Required:* Enforce safety regulations, conduct regular safety checks, promote awareness programs, and take strict action against violations and illegal activities.
* **LPG Distributors:**
* *Impact:* Play a crucial role in ensuring safe installation, conducting safety clinics, and providing support to consumers.
* *Action Required:* Ensure trained mechanics install connections, organize safety clinics, and respond promptly to consumer complaints, especially regarding leakages.
* **District Administration (Bhopal):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for taking legal action against those involved in illegal filling and storage of LPG cylinders.
* *Action Required:* Conduct surprise raids, seize illegally stored cylinders, and initiate legal proceedings against offenders under the Essential Commodities Act.
Key Entities Referenced
PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS: The ministry responsible for matters related to petroleum and natural gas.
LPG: Liquefied Petroleum Gas, the subject of the policy regarding safety and distribution.
Gas Cylinder Rules 2016: Regulations governing the manufacturing, storage, testing, and filling of LPG cylinders.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Regulation of Supply and Distribution Order 2000: Order governing the safe usage of LPG cylinders by Domestic LPG consumers, including PMUY beneficiaries.
Petroleum Explosive Safety Organisation PESO: Organization under which LPG cylinders are periodically tested for safety as per norms of the Chief Controller of Explosives.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): A government scheme to provide LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir: Location where illegal filling of LPG cylinders from HPCL tanker was reported in June 2025.
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: City where a large number of LPG cylinders were seized in February 2025 due to illegal activity.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3018
TO BE ANSWERED ON 7th August, 2025
Incidents of Fire and Explosion of LPG Cylinders
†3018. Shri Laxmikant Pappu Nishad:
पे(cid:7069)ोिलयम एवं (cid:7079)ाकृितक गसै मं(cid:7074)ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the incidents of fire and explosion of LPG cylinders are being reported continuously
across the country in which many citizens have lost their lives and it has caused heavy damage to
public property and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the incidents of theft of gas from LPG tankers plying on roads and illegal filling of
cylinders have come to light which include Ajmer incident in January 2025 arrest of three
persons for illegal filling from HPCL tanker at Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir in June 2025
and seizure of large number of cylinders in Bhopal in February 2025 and if so, the details
thereof; and
(c) whether such illegal fillings endanger the lives of the public by completely ignoring the
safety standards and quality control procedures laid down for authorized distributors, if so the
details thereof and the action taken/to be taken in this regard?
ANSWER
पे(cid:7069)ोिलयम एवं (cid:7079)ाकृितक गसै मं(cid:7074)ालय म(cid:7286) रा(cid:6996)यम(cid:7074)ं ी
((cid:7088)ी सरु ेश गोपी)
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) to (c): Accidents in domestic LPG cylinders happen due to various reasons which inter-alia
include pilferage from cylinders, transfer of LPG from domestic to non-domestic cylinder, use of
non-approved/non-standard equipments, improper handling at consumer’s premises, not
changing hosepipe periodically leading to its wear & tear, failure of O-rings, leakage from LPG
hose, leakage from stove, LPG cylinder bursting due to extreme heat generated during fire
caused by other factors etc.
Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are under directions to ensure that LPG
connections are released after satisfying and meeting all the safety norms stipulated for
installation of LPG connections. Provisions, norms and steps taken to ensure compliance with
safety standards while providing connections in all areas are as under
(i) Grant of approval for manufacturing units of LPG cylinders, valves and LPG regulators
and design of these equipments, licensing of storage premises, cylinder testing and filling etc.
is regulated under Gas Cylinder Rules 2016.(ii) Safe usage of LPG cylinders by Domestic LPG consumers, including PMUY
beneficiaries are governed under Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and
Distribution) Order 2000.
(iii) LPG cylinders are periodically tested for safety as per norms of the Chief Controller of
Explosives, Petroleum & Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO).
(iv) Supply of a laminated safety card with pictorial depictions of do’s and don’ts related to
LPG connection to every PMUY beneficiary at the time of releasing LPG connections.
Installation of LPG connection at premises of the customer by a trained mechanic.
(v) Organisation of Safety Clinics by distributor to spread awareness about safety aspects of
LPG. Dedicated round the clock helpline number (1906) for immediate action in case of LPG
leakage complaints.
(vi) Organisation of mass awareness programs on safe usage of LPG through audio-
video/print media, banners/hoardings, leaflets, pamphlets, etc.
(vii) Organisation of Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayats in villages to spread awareness about
safe and sustained usage of LPG amongst PMUY beneficiaries.
Further, a Basic Safety campaign was organised during March, 2024 to December, 2024 across
the country under the theme “Khushiyan Ab Teen Guna” with the objective of reaching the
doorsteps of domestic LPG customers. The campaign was designed to educate consumers on the
safe usage of LPG, complemented by extensive mass awareness initiatives through print and
electronic media, on-site safety checks at customer premises, and the replacement of Suraksha
hoses. The campaign achieved significant progress with over 12.12 crore free basic safety checks
conducted at customer premises without any cost to consumer and more than 4.65 crore LPG
hoses replaced at discounted rates. Additionally, audio-visual (AV) materials were utilized
during various field safety initiatives, such as LPG Panchayats and LPG Safety Clinics in
schools, as well as for general public outreach. These AVs were also shared across social media
platforms to maximize reach and impact.
OMCs have intimated that as a results of steps taken to enhance safety in LPG system, number of
accidents have come down from 2.13 per million (in FY 2022-23) to 0.97 per million (in FY-
2024-25).
OMCs have informed that in Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, an LPG carrying Tank Trucks
(TTs) contracted by HPCL, was found involved in illegal filling from tankers to LPG cylinders
in June 2025. Necessary action has been initiated and the said Bulk Tanker has been suspended
as per Transport Discipline Guidelines, for indulging in pilferage.
Further, in February, 2025, a joint inspection team led by the district authority, conducted
surprise raids at six locations in Bhopal. The operation resulted in the seizure of, inter-alia, 55
domestic cylinders at an unauthorised location. Legal action against culprits has been initiated by
the District Administration. In another such raid undertaken by police at Talaiya, in Bhopal 15
LPG cylinders were seized at an unauthorised location. The shopkeeper was booked under
relevant sections of the Essential Commodities Act. No such incident has been reported from
Ajmer in January, 2025.
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