As LPG users rise due to PMUY, so do accidents; House panel sounds alarm

In 2017-18 alone, LPG blasts claimed more than 260 lives in India

Cooking gas connections in India have increased 76 per cent from 140 million in 2014 to 247 million now. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a major factor behind this change. However, this has also triggered a rise in the number of accidents with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG, the chemical name for cooking gas) in these years. Parliament’s panel on petroleum and natural gas has registered its concern on this.In 2017-18, LPG blasts claimed at least 260 lives. In the first six months of the current financial year, 2018-19, a little over 100 deaths were reported. 

“A parliamentary panel had summoned the three oil marketing companies (OMCs) a few weeks ago and sought explanations on the reasons, for the rise in number of accidents and deaths due to LPG blasts. They have directed the companies to take immediate corrective measures and come up with a safety strategy,” a senior OMC executive told Business Standard. 

He said a major reason for the accidents was lack of awareness on safe usage among new consumers. Of the 247 million domestic gas connections, 46 per cent, or 116 million, are of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), followed by 68 million for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and 64 million for Bharat Petroleum Corporation. “From around 710 accidents in 2015-16, the number has doubled to around 1,500 a year now, according to our reports. Though safety measures have improved comparatively, a lot needs to be done,” said an industry body official. 

The number of LPG connections started increasing after the launch of PMUY on May 1, 2016, in Balia district of Uttar Pradesh. Under this, women of families below the official poverty line (BPL) get free gas connections. So far, the scheme has 57.2 million beneficiaries.

According to the government’s Petroleum Policy Analysis Cell, the consumption of LPG has grown for 61 months in a row, up to September 2018 (by 6.4 per cent, on average). The penetration of LPG went from 56 per cent to 85 per cent. “Over 40 mn connections were given outside PMUY, too. This was a major reason for the 120 per cent capacity utilisation for the 190 (gas) bottling plants. Only nine plants were added in the last 11 years, from 181 in 2007 to 190 now,” said an analyst. 

An IOC spokesperson declined to comment on the rise in number of accidents. He said they were conducting various campaigns to increase the awareness among BPL families on safe usage of cooking gas. The OMCs say their distributors do ensure the beneficiaries are educated about the safety norms, also providing a safety-cum-insurance leaflet in the local language for ready reference.