In a nation teeming with 32.68 crore active domestic LPG consumers, the Herculean task of ensuring a steady supply of refills falls upon the indefatigable public sector Oil Marketing Companies. As of the first day of July 2024, these OMCs, guardians of the nation's energy sanctum, orchestrate a colossal inventory exceeding 50 crore cylinders, predominantly forged from steel. This logistical ballet necessitates incessant reviews and strategic issuance of tenders for procuring new cylinders, ensuring the perennial flame of domesticity remains unextinguished.
The epochal introduction of composite cylinders marks a pivotal innovation in the OMCs' arsenal. Unlike their steel counterparts, these cylinders boast a tripartite construction, a marvel of modern engineering. At their core lies a blow-molded High-Density Polyethylene inner liner, ensconced within a composite layer of polymer-wrapped fiberglass, and further shielded by an HDPE outer jacket. This trinity of materials renders the cylinders not only lighter and rust-free but also translucent, offering a palpable sense of security to the vigilant homemaker.
Despite their myriad advantages, composite cylinders are an expensive proposition. The procurement of these avant-garde containers follows a rigorous competitive bidding process, open to any manufacturer capable of meeting the stringent tender requirements stipulated by the OMCs. As it stands, there is no intention to establish a proprietary manufacturing facility by the OMCs, thus maintaining an open market for innovation and competition.
Promotion of these composite cylinders is an endeavor undertaken with alacrity by the OMCs. A multifaceted approach is employed, encompassing consumer awareness campaigns, strategic display of banners and standees, and the dissemination of informative pamphlets during home delivery. This comprehensive strategy aims to elucidate the manifold benefits of composite cylinders, thereby fostering a gradual yet inexorable transition from the ubiquitous steel cylinders.
The elucidation of these efforts was articulated by Shri Suresh Gopi, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in a perspicuous written reply in the Rajya Sabha. His discourse illuminated the relentless endeavors of the OMCs to augment the safety and convenience of domestic LPG consumers, underscoring the government's unwavering commitment to enhancing public welfare through technological advancement.
