The ongoing conflict in Iran has entered its third week, triggering cooking gas shortages across India. The central government continues to reassure the public that domestic supplies of crude and refined fuel are sufficient to meet current demand.
India occupies a vulnerable position as the world’s third largest oil consumer. Its dependence on West Asian neighbors such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia is significant: more than 40% of its oil imports and 90% of its LPG imports come from the conflict-torn Middle East.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz forced India to turn around. To fill the gap, the country increased its income from West Africa and Russia. However, these “alternative” routes come with a financial point – higher shipping and insurance fees.
To manage the shortage, the government implemented a tiered distribution strategy – prioritizing supplies to domestic kitchens while reducing supplies to commercial establishments such as hotels to a fifth of their needs.
Read also | India needs Iran for the safe passage of six LPG and two oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz
Change in LPG prices:
The government has hiked the cost of both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders amid supply disruptions. The price of a 14.2 kg gas cylinder for home cooking has increased ₹60, while the price of 19 kg commercial cylinder increased by ₹144 in early March in major cities.
No revisions have been made since then.
Domestic and Commercial LPG Price in Key Indian Cities — Complete List
Below is a list of domestic and commercial LPG cylinder prices in major Indian cities.
CityDomestic LPG cylinder priceCommercial LPG cylinder priceNew Delhi ₹913 ₹1,884.50 Bombay ₹912.50 ₹1 836 Calcutta ₹939 ₹1,988.50 chennai ₹928.50 ₹2,043.50 Hyderabad ₹965 ₹2,105.50 Lucknow ₹950.50 ₹2007 Bengaluru ₹915.50 ₹1 958 Patna ₹1,002.50 ₹2,133.50
Differences in LPG prices across states are due to local value added tax (VAT) and transport charges.
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LPG cylinder prices remain unchanged for low-income households
Despite the increase in commercial and domestic LPG cylinders, prices for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries have remained unchanged, according to a PTI report.
The scheme covers more than 10 million gas connections provided to low-income households across the country.
India provides safe passage for LPG ships
India is actively working with global partners to ensure its energy security as tensions in West Asia continue to disrupt trade and logistics.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ongoing situation posed challenges to countries around the world and diplomatic engagement helped ensure the safe passage of two Indian LPG vessels through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
“You saw a few days ago that because of our engagement, we were able to get two of our LPG ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
India continues to coordinate with stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted power supply and security of its citizens in the Gulf region, he added.
“We continue to be in touch with several stakeholders on this matter to ensure our energy security needs while ensuring the welfare and safety of our Indian citizens and diaspora who are present in large numbers in the GCC countries,” Jaiswal said.
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The government announces ₹497 crore export assistance package
In view of the disruptive situations, the Central Government has announced a financial assistance package of Rs ₹497 crores aimed at helping exporters affected by disruptions in West Asia.
“The government has approved a package called RELIEF, which stands for Resilience and Export Facilitation Logistical Intervention. It is an intervention under the Export Support Mission to support exporters amid the disruption of logistics in West Asia,” said Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
