A disruption in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders has triggered a crisis for restaurants and hotels in Bengaluru, with several establishments warning that they may be forced to shut operations if the shortage continues. The sudden halt in gas supply has severely affected kitchens across the city, prompting industry associations to seek urgent intervention from the Union government.
Reports from Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka indicate long queues outside gas agencies as households rushed to secure extra cylinders amid fears that the ongoing Iran-related conflict could disrupt global fuel supplies. In some places, opportunistic sellers were reportedly offering cylinders on the black market for as high as Rs 1,500, far above the official retail price.
The shortage comes at a time when global energy supply chains are under strain due to geopolitical tensions in Middle East, which have impacted fuel shipments and distribution. India relies heavily on imports to meet its LPG requirements, making domestic supply vulnerable to disruptions in international markets.
Centre Introduces Measures to Stabilise LPG Supply
The sudden surge in demand appears to be driven largely by public anxiety rather than an actual shortage, officials said. Authorities emphasised that LPG supply across India remains stable and urged consumers to avoid panic buying, warning that stockpiling could create artificial shortages.
To control hoarding, the Union government has extended the minimum waiting period for LPG refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days. The move is aimed at ensuring fair distribution of cylinders and preventing households from accumulating multiple refills during the crisis.
Bengaluru Hotels Warn of Shutdown
The situation has also affected the hospitality sector, particularly in cities such as Bengaluru, where restaurant associations warned that hotels could face temporary closures if commercial LPG supply disruptions continue. Industry representatives said cooking gas is essential for daily operations and any prolonged shortage would severely impact restaurants and food businesses.
The LPG shortage has not been limited to Bengaluru alone. Restaurant operators in Mumbai and Chennai have also reported difficulties in obtaining commercial LPG cylinders. Industry bodies have warned that if the supply disruption continues for several days, a large number of eateries may be forced to suspend operations due to the lack of cooking fuel.
In Mumbai, restaurant associations have indicated that the situation could worsen rapidly if supply does not improve, with the crisis expected to spread across a majority of eateries in the city within a short period.
Recent Price Rise
Meanwhile, energy market volatility linked to the Middle East conflict has pushed up global fuel costs. India recently saw a Rs 60 increase in domestic LPG prices, while commercial cylinders also became costlier by Rs 115, raising operational expenses for businesses and households alike.
Despite these developments, government officials maintain that India has adequate fuel reserves and diversified import sources, and that the current surge in demand is largely the result of misinformation and fear triggered by the international crisis.
Authorities are urging citizens to avoid unnecessary stockpiling and rely on regular supply channels, warning that panic behaviour rather than actual shortages could create the very disruptions people fear.
– Samuthiran
