West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sounded the alarm over the escalating LPG crisis, noting that rising fuel costs will lead to an unavoidable hike in auto-rickshaw fares. She expressed concern that if the situation worsens, public transport which she describes as the “backbone” of the state could face a total standstill, leaving students and commuters stranded.
Key Concerns Raised by the CM
The Supply Gap: Banerjee pointed out that offering financial aid is pointless if the product isn’t available. “Money isn’t the issue here; we can provide subsidies, but how can we subsidize a supply that doesn’t exist?” she remarked, stressing the critical need to fix the LPG supply chain.
Demand for a Clear Strategy: Rather than holding “value-less meetings,” the Chief Minister is demanding a concrete Alternative Plan of Action from the Central Government. She insists that the Centre must disclose the exact status of gas reserves and ensure they are distributed equitably.
Impact of Global Tensions: The ripples of conflict in the Middle East are now being felt directly in West Bengal, impacting both domestic kitchens and the transport sector.
The Current Situation in West Bengal (March 2026)
1. Panic and Crisis on the Streets
Massive Queues: Across Kolkata and various districts, long lines of auto-rickshaws have formed at refueling stations. Many drivers are waiting overnight just to get enough fuel to start their shift.
Booking Failures: Household consumers are facing a breakdown in digital booking systems. Online servers for LPG distributors have been crashing due to a massive surge in traffic as people rush to secure cylinders before stocks run dry.
Black Marketing: There are widespread reports of “panic buying,” which has led to illegal hoarding. Some cylinders are reportedly being sold at double the official rate in the grey market.
2. Impact on Essential Services
Mid-day Meals & Hospitals: Some state-run schools have reported they have no gas to cook mid-day meals for students. Hospitals are also struggling to secure enough fuel for their kitchens.
Restaurant Closures: Numerous small eateries and restaurants in Kolkata have already begun trimming their menus or temporarily closing their doors because commercial LPG cylinders (which are not being prioritized by the Centre) have become almost impossible to find.
3. The State Government’s Response
Emergency SOP: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed the state to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prioritize gas for hospitals, schools, and hostels.
Rationing Stocks: The state has ordered that any LPG produced within West Bengal must not be sent out of the state for the time being.
Political Protest: The CM has announced a protest march in Kolkata for Monday, blaming the Central Government for failing to build a buffer stock of fuel and for the controversial “25-day booking rule,” which she claims triggered the public panic.