An undercover investigation conducted by the India Today Special Investigation Team has revealed that the illegal sale of LPG cylinders continues unchecked in the national capital, exposing a stark contrast between official assurances and the situation on the ground. Even as authorities maintain that there is no shortage of cooking gas, the findings highlight the existence of a well-established black market where cylinders are being sold at highly inflated prices, often openly and without fear of enforcement.
The investigation uncovered widespread hoarding, diversion, and unauthorised sale of LPG cylinders across multiple parts of Delhi. In one instance near the Alipur Police Station in Outer Delhi, reporters approached a shop following a tip-off about illegal activity. There, a man identified as Ankit offered to provide a cylinder at a price of Rs 4,300, nearly five times the official rate of Rs 913. He showed no hesitation in quoting the price and made it clear that this was the prevailing market rate, leaving no room for negotiation.
To validate the claims, the team attempted an actual purchase and observed a labourer paying the same inflated amount in cash, underscoring how even economically weaker individuals are being forced to bear the burden of illegal pricing. In another instance, an additional Rs 200 was demanded for exchanging a cylinder of a different supplier, pushing the total cost even higher. Despite the illegality, the seller weighed the cylinder and accepted payment through digital means, suggesting that such transactions are being conducted with a sense of normalcy and confidence.
Further investigation revealed that this was not an isolated operation but part of a broader and coordinated network. In the Cake Chowk area, another individual named Sitaram facilitated similar deals, quoting Rs 4,000 per cylinder and quickly contacting a supplier to arrange delivery. The speed and ease with which these transactions were organised pointed to a structured supply chain operating behind the scenes.
In East Delhi’s Maujpur area, the illegal trade appeared even more deeply embedded in everyday commercial setups. A stationery shop owner initially declined but later agreed to arrange a cylinder for Rs 3,400 after making a phone call. Similarly, a flour mill operator and a stove repair shop owner were found acting as intermediaries, connecting buyers to suppliers and promising quick deliveries. These establishments, functioning as legitimate businesses on the surface, were quietly facilitating the illegal distribution of LPG.
Across all locations, a consistent pattern emerged. Cylinders were being sold without any official booking process, prices ranged between Rs 3,400 and Rs 4,500, and transactions were carried out through both cash and digital payments. Many of the small shopkeepers were not primary suppliers but part of a larger network, linking consumers to higher-level operators who controlled the supply.
The investigation suggests that the ongoing global fuel crisis and concerns over supply disruptions are being exploited by black market operators. With delays in official delivery systems and restrictions on cylinder availability, households and small businesses are being pushed toward these illegal channels out of necessity. This has given rise to a parallel economy where essential commodities are being diverted and sold for significant profit.
These findings raise serious questions about the integrity and monitoring of the LPG distribution system. The scale and openness of the operations suggest the possibility of leakage within authorised supply chains or the existence of a larger nexus enabling such activities. As the gap between policy and ground reality widens, the lack of immediate enforcement continues to allow this illegal trade to flourish, leaving consumers vulnerable to exploitation.
