Fuel Crisis
LPG crisis hits metros: Commercial cylinder shortage triggers panic as govt prioritises domestic supply
New Delhi/IBNS: Panic gripped several metro cities, including the national capital New Delhi, as customers started worrying about the availability of commercial LPG and LNG amid fears of supply shortages triggered by the escalating West Asia conflict, media reports said.
Concerns intensified hours after the central government invoked the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise domestic cooking gas supply amid worries over availability due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Under the measure, domestic LPG distribution will receive priority during the supply disruption.
At the same time, LPG meant for non-domestic use is being diverted to essential services such as hospitals and educational institutions.
Restaurant owners have reported that commercial LPG deliveries have largely stopped since Sunday, worsening the pressure on the hospitality industry.
Restaurants and hotels across cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Lucknow are struggling to secure commercial LPG cylinders as the war disrupts global energy supply routes.
The situation has worsened due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy shipping channel.
Following the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to review the situation.
The Prime Minister asked the ministers to assess the potential impact in their respective sectors and ensure uninterrupted supply to the public.
The Gujarat government has reduced gas supply to industries by 50 percent and to fertiliser and milk processing units by 40 percent.
Several restaurants in Bengaluru have modified their menus, dropping fuel-intensive dishes to cope with the crisis.
Restaurant owners said the situation is turning tense with supplies drying up in areas such as Connaught Place, according to a report by the Hindustan Times.
To discourage hoarding, the government has also extended the LPG booking interval from 21 days to 25 days.
Meanwhile, prices have risen amid supply pressures. The cost of a domestic LPG cylinder has increased by Rs 60, pushing the price in Delhi to Rs 913. Commercial cylinders used by restaurants have also become more expensive, with prices rising by Rs 114.5.
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