lack of LPG: India is facing a fourth consecutive day of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortage, with disruptions reported in major cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
Communities, canteens, hotels and restaurants across the country are facing the onslaught of LPG supply restrictions for non-domestic purposes and four priority sectors. As a result, langars and Atal canteens have also been forced to curtail menu options and come up with contingency plans, while restaurants adjust menus, raise prices and even temporarily shut down operations to curb fuel consumption.
Why is India facing shortage of LPG, LNG and crude oil?
Attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, followed by retaliation by the Islamic Republic, led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that transports around 85-90% of India’s LPG imports from West Asia, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
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To create a buffer against regional disruptions, India has been steadily reducing its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, with nearly 70% of its oil imports now coming through alternative routes, according to the oil ministry.
At a media briefing on Friday, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said LPG remained a problem but “no drying up has been reported at any of our 25,000 distributors”.
“Domestic LPG production has increased by 30% year-to-date, compared to March 5, our refinery is currently producing 30% more LPG,” she said.
Read also | No shortage of LPG, dealers drying up, says oil ministry as panic buying pushes demand
Cooking gas cylinder price: Prices for the city on March 13
The price of a 14.2 kg gas cylinder for home cooking has been increased ₹60 and 19 kg commercial cylinder from ₹144 in major cities and states of the country.
Customers can book LPG refills from home via WhatsApp, SMS/IVRS or relevant OMC mobile apps.
The Petroleum Ministry noted on Friday that trends show panic, with demand for LPG bookings reaching as high as 75.7 million against an average of 55.7 million in the pre-war period. “No need for panic booking, no drying up at any LPG dealer,” Sharma added.
List of citiesPrice of a 14.2 kg cylinder (domestic)Price of a 19 kg cylinder (commercial)Bengaluru ₹915.60 ₹1958 chennai ₹928.50 ₹2,043.50 Delhi ₹913.00 ₹1 883 Hyderabad ₹965.00 ₹2,105.50 Calcutta ₹939.00 ₹1,988.50 Mumbai ₹912.50 ₹1,836 Source: OMC
Impact of LPG shortage: What are households, small businesses doing?
Both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders in India have become more expensive due to supply disruption. The revision affected households and businesses that rely on gas for cooking in their day-to-day operations.
Raj Kumar, executive chef at Devi Nashta Point, claimed that pressure cylinders are not available even for ₹3000-4000 each. To deal with the crisis, tiffin centers in Hyderabad have turned to electric stoves, ANI said.
In major cities, commercial and small businesses have turned to electric stoves and induction cooktops as LPG shortages continue to disrupt supplies.
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In Gujarat’s Surat, traders have witnessed record demand for electric stoves in the last two to three days. They told ANI that as orders continue to pile up, demand is outstripping supply. “There is a severe shortage of stock… once the stock arrives, we will sell it to the customers. We are selling at normal prices. Now we have only one or two pieces; the shortage is still there,” local trader Lakshman Singh told ANI.
In Bengaluru, the Bangalore Hotels Association informed members that cylinder gas supply has been stopped from today due to diversion to essential services (hospitals, schools, senior citizens) and “immediate action is expected from Union Ministers to restore commercial gas supply”.
RK Gupta, national vice-president of the LPG Association in Bhopal, confirmed that they have not received LPG cylinders (except for hospitals and educational institutions). “Further reservation will be allowed after a 25-day period between reservations to avoid accumulation and there is no shortage as claimed by the oil companies,” he told a news agency.
