LPG shortage: Households, restaurants feel disruption, demand for alternatives surge across cities — What we know

LPG shortage: India is facing its fourth consecutive day of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shortage, with disruptions reported across major cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad among others.

Communities, canteens, hotels and restaurants across the country are also facing the brunt of LPG limits for uses other than households and the four priority sectors. As a result, langars and Atal canteens have also been forced to cut menu options and come up with contingency plans; while restaurants are tweaking menus, raising prices and even temporarily shutting down operations in order to limit fuel consumption.

According to the Oil Ministry, to create a buffer against regional disruptions, India has been steadily reducing its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, and nearly 70% of crude oil imports now arrive via alternative routes.

At a media briefing today, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas said that LPG remains a concern, but there is “no dry out has been reported at any of our 25,000 distributors”.

“Domestic production of LPG has increased by 30% as of today; compared to March 5th, our refineries are currently producing 30% more LPG,” she stated.

According to the Oil Ministry, to create a buffer against regional disruptions, India has been steadily reducing its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, and nearly 70% of crude oil imports now arrive via alternative routes.

Customers can book LPG refills from home through: WhatsApp, SMS/IVRS or their respective OMC mobile apps.

The Oil Ministry today noted that trends showed panic — with LPG booking demand up to 75.7 lakh against an average of 55.7 lakh in the pre-war period. “There is no need for panic booking; no dry out at any LPG dealer,” Sharma added.

Raj Kumar, a chef at Devi Nashta Point claimed cylinders are unavailable even for ₹3,000-4,000 each. To deal with the crisis, tiffin centres in Hyderabad have turned to electric stoves, he told ANI.

Across major cities, commercial and small businesses have turned to electric stoves and induction tops as the LPG shortage continues to disrupt supplies.

In Gujarat's Surat, traders saw record demand for electric stoves over the past two to three days and told ANI that as orders continue to pile up, the demand is outstripping supply. "There is a severe shortage of stock… as soon as supplies arrive, we sell them to the customers. We are selling at regular prices. We only have one or two pieces now; the shortage remains," local trader Lakshman Singh told ANI.

In Bengaluru, the Bangalore Hotels Association has notified members that supply of gas cylinders has been halted from today for diversion to essential services (hospitals, schools, senior citizens), and “Immediate action is expected from Union Ministers to resume commercial gas supply”.

RK Gupta, National Vice President of the LPG Association in Bhopal confirmed they have not received LPG cylinders either (excepts for hospitals and educational institutions). “The next booking will be allowed after a 25-day inter-booking period to avoid hoarding, and there is no shortage as claimed by oil companies,” he told the agency.