Avoid stockpiling, panic booking: Bangalore Apartments' Federation instructs people to adopt responsible LPG consumption

Amidst the escalating conflict in West Asia which has enforced a shortage of LPG across the nation, the Bangalore Apartments' Federation (BAF) on Friday has urged apartment communities to adopt responsible consumption practices and avoid panic booking or stockpiling of cylinders.

The federation took out a statement reassuring that government and LPG distributors are working to stabilise supplies. However, collective action by urban residential communities can help prevent unnecessary pressure on the distribution system.

They advised residents not to book multiple cylinders unnecessarily, stating that panic booking creates artificial shortages and directly affects households that depend exclusively on LPG for daily cooking.

Noting that most apartment complexes have a stable electricity supply, the Federation encouraged residents to temporarily shift part of their cooking to electric appliances wherever feasible.

It suggested the use of induction cooktops for boiling and everyday cooking, electric pressure cookers for preparing rice, lentils and curries, and air fryers or electric grills for frying and roasting.

"Using electricity for even 30-40 per cent of cooking activities can significantly reduce LPG consumption across the community," the advisory said.

The Federation also urged apartment management committees and residents' associations to create awareness within communities by circulating LPG conservation tips, encouraging partial use of electric appliances, advising residents against hoarding cylinders and ensuring that multiple cylinders are not stored unsafely inside flats.

It said simple awareness messages shared through apartment WhatsApp groups could help maintain responsible behaviour among residents.

The advisory further highlighted efficient LPG usage practices to extend cylinder life, including using pressure cookers wherever possible, keeping vessels covered while cooking, using the correct burner size for utensils, cleaning burners regularly for an efficient flame and avoiding keeping the flame on unnecessarily.

According to BAF, adopting such practices could reduce LPG consumption by 15-20 per cent in many households.

The Federation also called on residents and apartment associations to check if their household and association staff are facing difficulties in accessing cooking gas and extend support where needed.

It also urged the public to rely only on official updates from LPG distributors and government agencies for supply-related information, cautioning that rumours on social media often trigger unnecessary panic booking.

(with PTI inputs)