A new master plan to stop the wastage of residual gas in cylinders… Annual savings of ₹21,900 crore expected

New Delhi. Approximately 40 lakh (4 million) commercial cylinders are used daily across the country. Most of these are traditional ‘Vapour Off-Take’ (VOT) cylinders. The major issue with these cylinders is that the gas cannot be fully utilized; some gas always remains, creating the impression that the cylinder is empty. To put this in perspective, about 1 kg of gas remains—and is wasted—in every 19 kg traditional cylinder. This translates to a daily loss of around 4,000 tonnes of LPG, amounting to 1.46 million tonnes annually.

What has changed?
India’s oil marketing companies are now encouraging commercial and industrial users to switch to ‘Liquid Off-Take’ (LOT) LPG cylinders. This move is a significant step towards reducing fuel wastage and enhancing efficiency, especially at a time when global concerns regarding fuel supplies are mounting.

The key feature of liquid-withdrawal cylinders is that virtually no gas remains inside after use. This ensures the user derives the full benefit of every drop of gas purchased. This technological shift is considered not only more cost-effective but also safer.

If all commercial users adopt this new system, the country could save approximately ₹21,900 crore annually. This figure was highlighted by Pune Gas Systems in a letter addressed to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

What is the price difference between LOT and VOT cylinders?
There is no difference in the price of the two types of cylinders. According to the latest rates on the Indian Oil website, the price for both 47.5 kg cylinders (VOT and LOT) in Delhi is ₹7,332. Similarly, the 19 kg LOT cylinder and the standard (VOT) cylinder are available at the same rate of ₹2,930. What is the stance of the government and companies?
Oil marketing companies had included 47.5 kg liquid cylinders in their product portfolios as early as 2007. However, they were never actively promoted before. The situation is now changing; companies are prioritizing the supply of these cylinders, and over 1,000 establishments across the country have started adopting them.

According to Jesal Sampat, Executive Director of Pune Gas Systems, there has been a significant rise in customer demand since the initiative was launched in collaboration with oil companies. This shift is now rapidly gaining popularity across the country.