Pune: Authorities in the Pune district seized 57 domestic gas cylinders during a raid on a gas agency on Friday, amid growing regional anxiety over fuel supplies linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis.

A specialised squad from the food supplies department discovered the illegal stockpile at a facility in Bopodi. The team had been established under the mandate of the district collectorate to monitor essential resources following widespread rumours of a looming liquefied petroleum gas shortage.

An official stated that the intervention was prompted by a specific complaint regarding the agency’s activities.

"We found 57 domestic LPG cylinders stocked in the godown without permission," the official said. "The process to charge the gas agency under Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act has begun."

The crackdown comes as local administrators seek to prevent hoarding and price gouging as geopolitical tensions continue to influence the availability and cost of energy products across the state.

With inputs from PTI