Induction cooktops are sold out in several metro cities across the country as consumers look for alternatives amid fears of LPG supply disruptions triggered by the US-Iran conflict.
On e-commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart, several models of induction cookers were unavailable or listed as ‘sold out’ in cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai.
This trend was more visible in areas that rely heavily on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In places like Greater Noida, where households are connected to piped natural gas, consumers have not yet felt the direct impact. So induction cookers are still available in this area.
The development comes shortly after restaurants in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai warned that operations may be disrupted if gas supplies are not stabilized soon.
Consumers are looking for alternatives to gas
Searches for “induction cooktop” in India have increased over the past two days, according to Google Trends, indicating an increase in consumer interest in electric cooking alternatives.
Much of the search activity focused on popular brands such as Pigeon, Philips and Prestige, indicating that consumers are actively comparing products before purchasing. Some people also searched for terms like “best induction” and queries related to the LPG crisis, which is in line with the trend of induction cooktops being sold out.
What triggered the LPG crisis?
India is facing a severe LPG supply crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. This is because India imports 62-67% of its LPG, making it heavily dependent on foreign supplies.
Almost 85-90% of this supply comes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is now effectively blocked. Deliveries were severely affected. Major Gulf exporters such as Iraq and Kuwait also cut output.
The crisis hits the commercial sector the most. In Mumbai, around 20% of restaurants have already closed, while 50-60% could close in the coming days as shortage of cooking gas disrupts operations. While the authorities are prioritizing the supply of LPG to households, prices are still rising ₹60 on March 7. pushing the price of war in Delhi to approx ₹913.
Meanwhile, the government stepped in to manage the LPG crisis by using the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. This law allows the Center to control how gas cylinders are distributed and prevent people from hoarding them or selling them at unfair prices.
According to officials, India currently has sufficient fuel reserves for 25-30 days. A three-member committee of Oil Marketing Company executives has also been set up to deal with complaints about supplies from the commercial sector.
