State oil companies sold 1,982 thousand metric tonnes (TMT) of LPG in April to households, down from 2,229 TMT in the corresponding period a year earlier, according to oil ministry data. Sales of commercial cylinders, used mainly by eateries, offices, industrial canteens, malls, educational institutions and hospitals, fell to 187 TMT in April from 208.5 TMT.
Read more: Household LPG sales fall 8% in March
The sharpest impact of the LPG shortage was felt by industries, where supplies plunged 82% year-on-year to 11.9 TMT, forcing many users to shift to alternatives such as fuel oil and natural gas. For much of last year, factories had increasingly turned to LPG because its prices tracked softer crude oil prices, prompting a rapid shift away from relatively expensive natural gas.
State oil companies increased supplies to LPG-powered vehicles by 86% to 10.8 TMT in April from a year earlier, mainly to fill the gap left by private-sector auto LPG providers. Direct LPG imports by private players also dropped 44% to 19.5 TMT in April.
Read more: Bulk buyers shifting to retail pumps behind fuel demand spike in parts of India
Overall, LPG sales declined 13% year-on-year in April, with the steepest fall seen in northern India, where sales dropped 17%.