The cooking gas crisis has hit Indian households hard — and the reason is thousands of miles away. Here’s a no-nonsense breakdown of what’s happening, why it matters, and what the government is doing about it.
What Triggered the LPG Crisis?
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On February 28, 2026, US and Israeli strikes against Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow chokepoint through which 90% of India’s LPG imports pass.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, and its disruption sent shockwaves straight to Indian kitchens.
India’s LPG Dependency at a Glance
| Key Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Annual LPG Consumption | ~31 million tonnes |
| Domestic Production | ~13 million tonnes |
| Import Dependency | ~60–65% |
| Middle East Import Share | 90% |
| Current Delhi Cylinder Price | ₹913 |
| Price Hike (Non-Subsidised) | ₹60/cylinder |
| LPG Consumers in India | 33 crore+ |
Who Is Affected the Most?
Restaurants, hotels, and food vendors that rely on larger commercial cylinders have been hit hardest, with some eateries in cities like Bengaluru seeing cylinder availability drop by 40–50%.
Major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad have reported shortages of Indane cylinders, with waiting times for deliveries increasing significantly.
What Is the Government Doing?
The Indian government moved swiftly on multiple fronts:
- Declared an emergency to secure vital energy resources and identified four priority sectors for natural gas allocation under the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order 2026.
- Directed oil companies and refineries to increase LPG production by ~10% and assured 100% household supply priority.
- Increased LPG cylinder booking waiting times from 21 days to 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas to better manage supply.
- City gas firms like IGL and MGL began offering free PNG connections and deposit waivers to shift consumers from cylinders to piped gas. Argus Media
The Storage Problem Nobody Talked About
India has only two underground LPG storage caverns — in Mangaluru and Visakhapatnam — with a combined capacity of just ~1.6 lakh tonnes, equivalent to roughly two days of national consumption. Down To Earth This crisis has exposed just how thin India’s energy safety net really is.
What’s the Long-Term Fix?
Experts suggest a diversified cooking energy mix. Electric cooking is now roughly 20% cheaper than LPG for many households following the recent price hike, making the switch increasingly attractive. Down To Earth
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FAQs
Q: Will LPG cylinder prices rise further in 2026?
Prices have already gone up by ₹60, and further hikes depend on how long the Middle East conflict disrupts the Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
Q: Should I panic-book multiple LPG cylinders right now?
No — authorities warn that hoarding cylinders can lead to up to 7 years in jail under the Essential Commodities Act. The Sunday Guardian Book normally and follow government guidelines.
