Lok Sabha Question No. 3018 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-07
Subject: Incidents of Fire and Explosion of LPG Cylinders
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Laxmikant Pappu Nishad

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3018 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 th  August, 2025

## Incidents of Fire and Explosion of LPG Cylinders

† 3018. Shri Laxmikant Pappu Nishad:

## पेᮝोिलयम एवं ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢी

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

## पेᮝोिलयम एवं ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢालय मᱶ रा᭔यमंᮢी ( ᮰ी सुरेश 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  audiovideo/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 FY2024-25).

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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