Commercial and domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are experiencing supply disruptions in India, with the key trade in the Strait of Hormuz virtually at a standstill due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
India depends on imports to meet around 60% of its domestic LPG needs and 90% of these imports come via the Middle East via the Strait of Hormuz.
As a result, domestic and commercial LPG cylinder prices have increased in India, with the revision affecting both households and businesses that depend on the gas for cooking.
The prices of domestic LPG cylinders of 14.2 kg have been increased ₹60 last week, while prices of 19kg commercial LPG cylinders rose by 114.5.
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.
LPG cylinder prices under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which covers over 10 lakh connections provided to low-income households, remain unchanged, according to a PTI report.
Interference in big cities
Disruptions, particularly in the hospitality sector, have been reported in major cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata over the past few days.
Amid the shortage, many restaurants have stopped serving meat dishes as non-vegetarian dishes require longer cooking time and higher fuel consumption. Meanwhile, other restaurants have closed completely.
Panic buying among consumers also increased, jumping nearly 60% on Friday.
Steps are being taken to deal with supply outages
The government started distributing commercial LPG to states and UTs on Saturday, a top official of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said.
“After extensive discussions, the government has decided that commercial consumers will also get LPG. Commercial distribution of cylinders has started in various states and consumers have started receiving them,” Sujata Sharma, joint secretary of the ministry, told the media.
Further, the government on Saturday also asked households with natural gas (PNG) and LPG connections to forego the latter and refrain from refilling cylinders from any public oil company or its distributors.
Meanwhile, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers have safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz and are on their way, and their arrival is expected to ease some of the pressure.
