A big crisis has arisen in India regarding the supply of cooking gas (LPG). Due to this, the supply of commercial gas has been currently banned in Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This has led to the closure of restaurants and hotels in these states. Due to increasing tensions in West Asia (Middle East), LPG shipments coming to India are being delayed, due to which a shortage of gas has started in the domestic market. Maximum impact on supply in these states: Madhya Pradesh: Hotel and restaurant operators say that recently the price of cylinder has been increased from Rs 1773 to Rs 1888 and they are ready to pay this increased price. In such a situation, why was the decision taken to stop the supply of commercial cylinders during the wedding season? Rajasthan: Businessmen associated with hotels and restaurants say that the decision of oil companies has created a big crisis for hotel-restaurant operators. 3 lakh people are associated with it. We have no alternative to gas. In such a situation, people associated with all types of hotels, restaurants, marriage gardens and other industries are sure to face big problems. The sudden decision taken by the oil companies is disturbing. Chhattisgarh: Dealers have been asked not to give commercial cylinders to anyone other than educational institutes and hospitals. Gas crisis has arisen for hotel-restaurant operators. Maharashtra: Heavy reduction in commercial gas has been done in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. The situation in Pune is so bad that the Municipal Corporation has temporarily closed gas crematoriums. Nearly 9,000 restaurants and bars in the state are under threat of closure. Punjab: Dispatch of 19 kg commercial and large industrial cylinders has been stopped here since March 8. Distributors have been asked not to accept bookings from any domestic customer before 25 days. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Commercial cylinder booking has been frozen in many districts including Hyderabad. Those running small hotels and restaurants have appealed to the government to restore the supply, as the livelihood of lakhs of people is linked to it. Government forms high-level committee In view of the crisis, the Petroleum Ministry has formed a high-level committee of executive directors of three oil companies (OMCs), which will review the supply. Domestic Gas Cylinder Booking 25 days after delivery Earlier yesterday i.e. on March 9, the Central Government had changed the rules for refill booking of domestic LPG cylinders. Now after one cylinder is delivered, consumers will be able to book the second cylinder only after 25 days instead of 21 days. OTP and biometrics mandatory to prevent hoarding Delivery agents are now using OTP or biometric verification to prevent hoarding of gas. Oil marketing companies have been instructed to use propane and butane more for domestic cylinders instead of commercial ones. Emergency provisions have been implemented under the Essential Commodities Act. When will the situation improve? Chief General Manager of Indian Oil (LPG) K.M. Thakur says that customers do not need to panic and do not make panic booking. The government is now considering sourcing alternative cargo from countries like America. At the same time, at the international level, G7 countries are discussing to release supply from their emergency oil reserves, so that the energy crisis in the global market can be reduced. Additional crude oil is also expected to come from Russia and Algeria. To prevent shortage of cylinders, the government had ordered all oil refinery companies to increase LPG production. Gas supply has been affected due to increasing tension in the Middle East. In view of this danger, the government issued this order. It says that now refineries will use propane and butane only to make cooking gas. All companies will have to supply propane and butane to government oil companies. Government oil companies include Indian Oil (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum (BPCL). Its objective is to supply gas cylinders to consumers without interruption. 2 reasons for supply crisis 1. Almost closure of ‘Strait of Hormuz’ The biggest challenge for India is the closure of ‘Strait of Hormuz’. This is about 167 km long waterway, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Due to Iran war this route is no longer safe. In view of the danger, no oil tanker is passing through there. 20% of the world’s total petroleum passes through here. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait also depend on it for their exports. India sources 50% of its crude oil and 54% of its LNG requirement through this route. Iran itself exports through this route. 2. Production of LNG stopped due to drone attack on the plant. Last week America-Israel had strike on Iran. In response, Iran has targeted American bases and ports in countries like UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi. After Iran’s drone attack, Qatar, the largest country supplying gas to India, has stopped the production of its LNG plant. Due to this the supply of gas in India has reduced. India imports 40% of its LNG requirement (about 27 million tonnes annually) from Qatar. 3 days ago, the government increased the price of domestic gas cylinder by ₹ 60. 3 days ago, the government increased the price of domestic gas cylinder by ₹ 60. In Delhi, 14.2 kg LPG gas is now available for Rs 913. Earlier it was Rs 853. Whereas the price of 19 kg commercial cylinder has been increased by Rs 115. Now it is available for Rs 1883. The increased prices have come into effect from March 7. Earlier, on April 8, 2025, the government had increased the prices of domestic cylinders by Rs 50. That means this increase has been made after about a year. Whereas on March 1, 2026, the price of commercial gas cylinder was increased by Rs 31. The government has increased the prices of gas at a time when there is a fear of gas shortage in the country due to the war between America, Israel and Iran.
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Commercial gas cylinder supply stopped in many states of the country: Hotel and restaurant operators said – ready to pay increased price, still no gas
