State Oil Firms May Offer Lightweight LPG Cylinders to Commercial Users

State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) are considering expanding the availability of lightweight 10-kg LPG cylinders beyond domestic consumers, with plans to offer them to commercial users if the proposal receives approval, according to Atul Mathur's TOI report.

According to the report, the high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based composite cylinders could be sold at commercial LPG rates through gas agencies and select retail outlets.

The proposed expansion is expected to benefit migrant workers, tenants, students, street vendors, cafés and food kiosks that require LPG but have limited space to store the larger 19-kg commercial cylinders.

The lightweight cylinders are already available on a limited scale for household consumers under different brand names, HPCL’s HP Gas Ojas, IndianOil’s Indane Xtralight, and BPCL’s Bharatgas Lite, the report said.

At present, OMCs market 19-kg, 5-kg and 2-kg cylinders for commercial consumers and users without domestic LPG connections. Commercial LPG is significantly costlier than domestic cooking gas. In Delhi, a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder is priced at ₹942, while a 19-kg commercial cylinder costs ₹2,930. A 5-kg commercial cylinder is priced at ₹808.50, according to the report.

The 10-kg composite cylinder is manufactured using advanced composite technology and features a three-layer construction. It is nearly 50% lighter than a conventional steel LPG cylinder, making it easier to transport and handle.

The report added that, unlike steel cylinders, the composite version is easier to carry to upper floors. Its translucent body also allows consumers to see the remaining LPG level without requiring a separate gauge, helping them plan refills more efficiently.

With inputs from TOI