New Delhi: Concerns are rising across India over a possible shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, with hotel and restaurant associations warning that several eateries may be forced to shut down if supplies do not improve. Restaurants in states such as Bihar, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Karnataka are reportedly facing difficulties due to limited availability of commercial cooking gas. The National Restaurant Association of India has cautioned that many restaurants may not be able to operate in the coming days if the disruption in LPG supply continues. However, the central government has reassured the public that there is no nationwide fuel shortage and that petrol pumps and gas stations are functioning normally.
The situation has reportedly been triggered by ongoing tensions in West Asia, which have raised fears of disruptions in LPG imports. In response, the Ministry of Petroleum has instructed state-owned oil marketing companies to prioritize LPG supply for domestic consumers over commercial users. To prevent hoarding and black-market activities, the waiting period for cylinder refills has been increased from 21 days to 25 days. As India imports more than half of its LPG requirements—primarily from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE—the government is now exploring alternative import sources such as Australia, Norway, and Algeria to ensure uninterrupted cooking gas supply across the country.
