LPG cylinder shortage highlights: Domestic households given priority as LPG supplies are rationed, says Bharat Petroleum

We’ve wrapped up our coverage of the LPG shortage here. Catch all new developments of March 12 on our latest blog HERE.

Amid the prevailing LPG shortage, Chennai's Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute issued a circular, suspending all regular classes till March 25. The institution has said that all the classes will be held online due to the LPG cylinder crisis. 

On the prevailing LPG crisis, Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister, Divya Kumari, said, "This is a worldwide issue. Our government is sensitive to this, and every effort is being made to ensure that this crisis does not hit either the hotel industry or domestic consumers."

(Inputs from ANI)

As the LPG shortage has hit the nation, a vendor in Madhya Pradesh is struggling with his livelihood. Deepak Gupta, who runs a small shop on the roadside, told India Today, " The shortage of LPG has hit hard. I can't make samosas or kachoris. Can't even warm poha. If things continue like this, I have to close the shop."

As the nationwide LPG shortage has hit India, banquet owners in Bihar's Patna have found themselves in trouble. Speaking to India Today, Vishal, a banquet owner, said, "We have stocks left for two days. We are thinking about what to do after that. The initial plan is to shift from gas ovens to a wooden stove or charcoal stove." 

He also said that his banquet had taken orders for the upcoming six months to a year. As the crisis has unfolded, it is becoming difficult for him and several banquet owners to run day-to-day operations.

Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) has issued an important LPG update. It states that amid the current geopolitical situation and restrictions on LPG imports, supplies are being carefully rationed to ensure wider coverage, with domestic households given top priority. Requests from other sectors are being assessed by a joint committee of LPG Executive Directors from BPCL, IOC, and HPCL, with allocations based on urgency. The government is making every effort to ensure smooth LPG imports, and normal supply conditions are expected to resume soon.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini today chaired a meeting with senior officials of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to review LPG supply amid rumours of disruption due to the Middle East conflict.

Officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Raja Shekhar Vundru and oil company representatives, said domestic LPG, petrol, and diesel supplies are normal, with temporary disruptions only for commercial LPG, prioritising hospitals and schools.

The state government directed district officials to ensure uninterrupted domestic LPG supply, take strict action against hoarding or theft, and appealed to the public not to panic, assuring smooth supply of essential petroleum products.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today met with LPG dealers, gas companies, and other stakeholders to review the state’s gas supply situation, reported India Today’s Anupam. She said there is no issue with petrol or diesel yet and urged gas companies not to impose a 25-day cap on domestic LPG bookings.

She asked that supply be prioritised for hospitals, ICDS centres, mid-day meals, hostels, tourist centres, and domestic users, with at least 2% allocated to hotels and restaurants.

She also called for increased kerosene availability in villages and instructed strict action against hoarding, while the state drafts an SOP and coordinates through a monitoring dashboard.

The Union Home Secretary has held discussions with the Director Generals of Police (DGPs) and Chief Secretaries of all states concerning the current LPG situation. He urged states to take strict action to prevent hoarding and black marketing. Authorities have been asked to ensure smooth and fair distribution of LPG across the country.

Shirdi Sai Baba Trust currently has a 15-day LPG stock. About two tons of gas are used daily in the prasad hall, serving 35,000–40,000 devotees, preparing 7,000 breakfast packets, and making boondi and laddoos. Half of the gas is used for sweets, so any shortage would first affect their production. The trust also uses a solar system that saves 200 kg of LPG daily and has two storage tanks holding 20,000 kg for emergencies.

With Shri Ram Navami approaching, large crowds are expected. If supply is disrupted, prasad meals may be adjusted, and laddoo and boondi production could be paused.

Amid a gas shortage caused by global tensions, hotels around Mahavir Chowk in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, including Shivganesh Hotel, have resorted to cooking on open stoves using firewood, reported PTI.

Hotel owner Praveen Kumar said that with the current heat, their staff cannot continue working like this for long, and they may have to shut down if the situation continues.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said two LNG cargoes are on their way to India and expected to arrive in a day or two. India imports 60% of its LPG, with 90% passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Refineries, including IOCL, HPCL, and BPCL, have been asked to boost production, raising domestic LPG output by 25%. A committee is monitoring rationalisation. In Delhi, LPG costs Rs 913 per cylinder, with some panic booking reported. On average, delivery takes 25 days, and a delivery code (DC) system is in place to ensure fair distribution.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, GoI, said that LPG is currently being prioritised for the domestic sector. For non-domestic use, essential services such as hospitals and educational institutions are being given priority. She added that the committee is working with state authorities and industry bodies to finalise a plan that ensures LPG is distributed fairly and transparently.

The ongoing LPG gas shortage has impacted the Prasad preparation at Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The traditional thali will now serve only one vegetable dish instead of the usual two. Sevai (vermicelli) will not be included in the Prasad for the time being.

Amid a gas shortage, the Greater Noida’s District Magistrate convened a meeting with officials and gas agency operators. During the discussion, the DM issued clear directions, warning that strict action would be taken against those involved in gas black marketing.

The administration will conduct raids through dedicated teams and urged people not to pay attention to rumours. Authorities assured that there should be no issues with domestic LPG cylinders. Following the central government’s instructions, the district administration remains fully active and confirmed that there is no shortage of domestic LPG anywhere. The meeting was held at the Surajpur District Collectorate.

Police in Jhansi have recovered 524 stolen LPG cylinders and arrested seven people, including a gas agency owner who allegedly bought them. The truck carrying the cylinders was stolen between March 2 and 6 from the Sipri Bazar area. Police later found the empty truck near Parichha on the Jhansi–Kanpur highway and arrested four accused during an encounter, with three more held later.

Two of the accused were former drivers of the truck owner who committed the theft to recover pending dues of Rs 60–70 thousand, selling them for Rs 13 lakh. The recovered cylinders are being guarded at the police station with security and a fire brigade on standby.

Amid an LPG shortage, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in Nagpur, Maharashtra has launched search operations to check black marketing of LPG cylinders. Officials are conducting inspections at hotels, restaurants and LPG warehouses. Following the implementation of the Essential Commodities Act, the administration has stepped up monitoring.

Nagpur Police have also directed all stations to take immediate action on complaints related to LPG hoarding or black marketing. Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal said FIRs will be registered under the Act, making arrests possible. He added that security may also be provided to trucks carrying LPG cylinders if required.

The Patna district administration has clarified that there is no shortage of LPG in the district and urged people to avoid panic booking, reported India Today’s Rohit Singh. The District Magistrate said gas companies and distributors have adequate stock and supplies are continuing normally. LPG booking is functioning as usual through missed call, SMS/IVRS, WhatsApp and OTP, with a 25-day gap between bookings.

The administration has held review meetings with officials and said the situation is being closely monitored. Authorities have also been directed to conduct regular inspections at LPG dealers, with strict action and FIRs planned against black marketing or hoarding.

The shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has begun affecting PG accommodations in Bengaluru, with many owners changing menus and exploring alternative cooking methods, reported India Today’s Sagay Raj.

Arun Kumar, President of the PG Association, Bengaluru, said lakhs of residents depend on PGs for food, making uninterrupted service essential. To manage the shortage, PGs are reducing high gas-consuming dishes and shifting to rice-based items like bisibelebath, chitranna and puliyogare, along with salads and other low-cooking options. Many are also considering induction stoves and electric rice cookers. He urged the government to intervene, warning that if the shortage continues for 10–15 days, it will become extremely difficult for PG operators.

State-run oil marketing company Indian Oil Corp Ltd on Wednesday shared a tip for households to help conserve LPG and improve cooking efficiency.

In a post on X, the company advised consumers to make greater use of pressure cookers, saying they can significantly reduce cooking time and save fuel.

“Let your pressure cooker do more. It reduces cooking time and helps save a significant amount of LPG,” Indian Oil said.

The company also suggested using separators inside the pressure cooker so that multiple food items—such as rice, dal and vegetables—can be cooked at the same time.

According to Indian Oil, pressure cooking not only helps conserve LPG but also makes kitchens more energy-efficient.

The advisory comes as concerns over LPG supply disruptions continue in several parts of the country.

The ongoing LPG supply crunch is beginning to severely disrupt restaurant operations across several parts of the country, forcing eateries to shut kitchens, trim menus, or switch to alternative fuels.

Many restaurants and small eateries are struggling to secure commercial LPG cylinders, with reports of long queues at distribution points and delayed supplies. Industry groups say the shortage—linked to supply disruptions amid the ongoing Middle East conflict—is hitting hotels, caterers and roadside eateries particularly hard.

Some establishments have temporarily stopped serving main course items that require longer cooking times, while others have limited operations to snacks and ready-to-cook dishes. Read our full report

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed a resolution criticising the Centre over the alleged LPG crisis, with Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak blaming the Union government’s foreign policy and global geopolitical tensions for concerns over oil and gas supplies, reported India Today's Aman Bhardwaj.

He said several countries involved in ongoing conflicts are major energy producers, raising fears about availability. Kataruchak also warned of possible hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders. He said officials have been instructed to closely monitor the market and take strict action against anyone found involved in black marketing in Punjab.

A notice pasted on tables at the Delhi High Court canteen says cooked food is currently unavailable due to the non-availability of LPG gas cylinders, reported India Today’s Aneesha.

The letter informs visitors that main course items cannot be prepared until gas supplies are restored, though food items like sandwiches, salads, fruit chaats and other similar refreshments will continue to be served.

Debaditya Chaudhury, Managing Director of Chowman, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 and Chaudhury & Company, said the commercial gas shortage has been particularly challenging in Bangalore, where several restaurants have temporarily suspended operations.

He said the company has felt pressure across its network and has restricted operations in some outlets, focusing on dine-in and Chowman app orders from top-selling locations. Chaudhury added that internal meetings and precautionary steps have been taken to ensure service continuity despite limited gas supply, while the company remains committed to serving customers across its pan-India network.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has raised concerns over cooking gas availability amid tensions in West Asia, saying the recent LPG price hike has increased the burden on households, reported India Today’s Shibi.

Reports suggest shortages in parts of Kerala, while the 27-day booking interval for domestic cylinders has worsened the situation. Vijayan warned that uncertainty in LPG supply could also impact hotels and restaurants, especially during Ramadan when demand rises. He said many workers depend on such establishments for food. The Chief Minister has urged the Prime Minister to ensure adequate LPG supply and consider subsidies to stabilise availability and prices.

Amid LPG supply concerns linked to global tensions, Ram Rasoi at Amawa Temple near the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has made alternative cooking arrangements to ensure free meals for devotees continue. Temple manager Pankaj Kumar said rice cookers, electric cookers, coal and firewood may be used if LPG supplies tighten.

The kitchen serves 10,000–20,000 devotees daily, though the bhandara timing has been temporarily reduced from 10 am–2 pm to 11:30 am–1 pm due to the shortage. The gas crunch is also affecting prasad shops and restaurants in Ayodhya, but the temple administration says the tradition of service and bhandara will continue.

Outside Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai, members protested against rising fuel and food prices, calling for accountability over the growing hardship faced by common citizens, reported India Today's Rajesh Ulhas Revankar.

During a press conference on the “severe LPG crisis”, AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh said that India is facing a serious disruption in LPG supplies, reported India Today’s Amit Bhardwaj.

Kejriwal stated that nearly 60% of India’s LPG is imported, while about half of the country’s domestic production has been affected. He added that restaurants and hotels are among the worst-hit sectors, as the Centre has prioritised LPG supply for households. He also said that eateries cannot store large quantities of LPG due to safety regulations. As a result, thousands of hotels and restaurants in Delhi and Punjab are reportedly close to shutting operations if the shortage continues.

Hyderabad’s popular restaurant chain Shah Ghouse Cafe has reportedly turned to traditional firewood stoves to prepare its signature biryani as Hyderabad faces a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, reported India Today's Abdul Basheer.

With cooking gas supplies tightening, several restaurants in the city are finding it difficult to keep their kitchens running. To keep up with demand during the busy Ramzan season, Shah Ghouse has started using firewood-based stoves to continue serving customers.

The LPG shortage has affected many hotels and eateries across Hyderabad, forcing some to trim their menus, scale down operations, or explore alternative cooking methods. The supply crunch is believed to be linked to disruptions in LPG availability amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia that have affected global fuel logistics.

Amid the ongoing LPG supply concerns, IRCTC has directed static catering units at railway stations (not on trains) to shift to alternative cooking methods such as microwaves and induction stoves, reported India Today's Piyush Mishra.

Caterers have also been asked to keep adequate stocks of Ready-to-Eat (RTE) items along with regular packed food. Units where LPG-based cooking stops must inform authorities immediately.

Long queues were seen outside LPG distribution agencies in Bhopal as people waited for hours to get cooking gas cylinders amid supply concerns, reported India Today TV's Ravish Pal from Bhopal.

Residents claimed that online booking for LPG cylinders was not working, forcing many to visit agencies to book cylinders offline. This has led to long lines outside several gas agencies, with some people waiting for up to two hours.

Locals said the situation is causing inconvenience as many households are struggling to secure cylinders. Some residents also linked the supply disruption to the ongoing Iran war and global energy tensions, which they believe are affecting LPG availability.

Amid reports of commercial LPG shortages in several parts of the country, the Chhattisgarh Hotel & Restaurant Association (CGHRA) has issued an advisory asking hotels, restaurants and caterers to avoid panic buying and hoarding of cylinders, reported India Today TV’s Sumi Rajappan.

The association urged members to stay in coordination and immediately report any major disruption in LPG supply. It also advised establishments to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and previously booked banquet events during the supply constraints.

To manage operations, the association suggested that food businesses consider using electric cooking equipment such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, rice cookers and electric kettles wherever possible.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) said it is taking proactive steps to increase LPG production from its refining and petrochemicals complexes at Jamnagar, the world’s largest integrated refining hub. In a media statement, the company said its teams are working around the clock to optimise refinery operations and boost LPG output to ensure stable supplies to the domestic market.

Reliance also said natural gas produced from the KG-D6 basin will be diverted to priority sectors in line with government guidelines. The company added that it is working closely with the Government of India to ensure energy supplies reach sectors that need them the most.

Availability of commercial LPG cylinders has tightened in several cities, with restaurants, hotels and hostels reporting delays in deliveries. Industry groups say the supply disruption is affecting businesses that rely on 19-kg commercial cylinders for daily cooking.

However, government sources say there is no nationwide LPG crisis and that domestic household supply remains stable. Refineries have increased LPG production by about 10 percent, and authorities have invoked provisions under the Essential Commodities Act to prevent hoarding and ensure smooth distribution.

Officials say supplies are stabilising, though some commercial users continue to report shortages in certain locations.

Priyank Kharge on Tuesday criticised the Centre over the ongoing LPG supply concerns, accusing the government of denying the crisis for days before invoking emergency powers. In a post on social media, Kharge pointed to a series of recent developments, including assurances from Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri that India had adequate petroleum reserves and that there was no shortage of energy.

The hospitality sector has raised concerns over the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, warning that irregular supply could disrupt hotel and restaurant operations across the country.

KB Kachru, President, Hotel Association of India (HAI) and Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said hotel kitchens rely heavily on LPG and any shortage or price increase could affect business continuity.

He said small and medium-sized hotels may be forced to temporarily shut operations if the supply situation does not improve. Kachru also urged the government to ensure uninterrupted gas supply and consider treating the hospitality sector as an essential service.

He welcomed the government’s decision to set up a 24/7 control room to monitor fuel supplies.

The shortage of commercial LPG cylinders is affecting small hotels and eateries in Mumbai, forcing many to limit menu options while some have temporarily shut down, reports India Today TV’s Dipesh Tripathi.

Hotel owners say the lack of LPG cylinders has made it difficult to run kitchens normally. Kamalakar, a hotel owner, said restaurants are no longer able to serve dishes based on customer demand and are instead preparing only a limited set of items that require less gas.

“We had to change our menu because of the gas shortage. We can only serve basic items that we prepare in advance and some common dishes,” he said.

Hostels in Hyderabad’s IT corridor have begun restricting certain food items amid fears of a possible LPG cylinder shortage linked to global tensions affecting energy supplies. The IT Corridor Hostel Association in Gachibowli has advised hostel kitchens to avoid high gas-consumption breakfast items such as chapathi, dosa and puri, and instead serve simpler meals until the supply situation improves.

The government has said domestic LPG production has increased by about 10% after directions were issued to oil refineries to divert more output toward cooking gas. The move is aimed at stabilising supplies after reports of shortages of commercial cylinders in several cities.