Ranchi: Hundreds of illegal LPG refilling units operating in the guise of utensil and kitchenware shops in the city are charging customers over Rs 200 per kg of gas putting financial strain, even after the Ranchi administration carried out enforcement drives against blackmarketing and hoarding.The price ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 250 per kg of refilling, significantly higher than the actual cost. In comparison, a standard 14.2 kg domestic gas cylinder costs Rs 999.50 in the city, making the illegal option far more expensive for consumers, especially students and migrant workers staying in private hostels and rented accommodations that do not have LPG connections.Hundreds of students and workers are solely dependent on these gas repair and kitchenware shops for their LPG requirements.TOI on Friday visited several such refilling units on Lalpur-Kokar Road, Albert Ekka Chowk and Bariatu and found them allegedly involved in black-marketing of cylinders, apart from operating in densely populated areas, posing a risk to public safety.When asked about LPG price, a seller at Kokar said he was charging Rs 230 per kg of gas. Another seller was charging Rs 250 per kg.The refilling units were charging just Rs 95 per kg prior to the West Asia conflict that triggered an LPG shortage. Though the units temporarily shut down then, they reopened with higher prices.“I had to shut shop for nearly two months during the crisis. If I do not charge more, how will I compensate for the loss? Besides, I am purchasing a 14.2 kg cylinder at Rs 2,000-Rs 2,500 and making a profit of just around Rs 1,000 per cylinder,” a seller, requesting anonymity, said.Several customers are left with no option but to depend on them.Sanjeev Kumar, an employee of a private company, said, “During the LPG crisis, my friends and I had to rely on food delivery for over a week when these shops were closed. They are charging exorbitantly but we have no other option but to buy cylinders from them.”Ranchi district supply officer R G Pandey said, “Selling LPG at these shops is illegal and we have imposed fines on at least three such units in the past three months. We will conduct a drive against these units soon.”