LPG Crisis India LIVE: The Centre advised states and Union territories to monitor LPG supplies daily, take strict action against the violators, quell rumour mongering and maintain law and order in the wake of speculation that the supply of cylinders has been hit due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Induction cooktops quickly went out of stock on online platforms as restrictions on the distribution of LPG cylinders to commercial establishments, including hotels and restaurants, sparked worries that household consumers might be next.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up a 24x7 control room with nodal officers from the information and broadcasting, and petroleum and natural gas ministries.
India consumes about 31.3 million tonnes of LPG annually. As much as 87 per cent of this is in the domestic sector, i.e., household kitchens, and the rest in commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants. Of this total requirement, 62 per cent is met through imports.
The US-Israel attacks on Iran and Tehran's retaliation have shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key sea route through which India gets 85-90 per cent of its LPG imports from West Asian nations, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Here are the LIVE Updates of India's LPG Crisis, Commercial Gas Shortage:
LPG Crisis LIVE: Rush To Stockpile Amid Shortage Fears In Tamil Nadu
Long queues of motorists were seen outside petrol stations across Tamil Nadu as panic buying took hold of several cities, triggered by a worsening shortage of commercial LPG.
Residents in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai reported waiting for over 45 minutes to fill their vehicle tanks, with some carrying additional containers despite regulations against the practice.
Nearly a quarter of the auto fleet in Chennai remained off the roads, while those still plying have reportedly hiked fares significantly to compensate for the long waiting periods.
The hospitality sector remains the hardest hit, with the Tamil Nadu Hotels Association has indicated that thousands of restaurants are badly hit. Many iconic establishments in the state capital have stopped serving fuel-intensive dishes like dosa and fried rice.
Railways Asks Caterers To Switch To Alternate Methods Amid LPG Shortage
Amid the ongoing shortage in commercial LPG supplies, the Indian Railways has now stepped in with operational guidance for onboard food services.
According to PTI, IRCTC asked operators of food plazas, refreshment rooms and 'Jan Ahaars' to switch to alternative arrangements to maintain seamless catering services for travelling passengers. The instruction applies to both static kitchens and onboard pantry units, where feasible.
Israel Iran War LPG Induction Cooktops Go Out of Stock Online as LPG Concerns Push Demand
Demand for induction cooktops has increased across India due to worries about LPG cylinder availability in several cities. A check by NDTV on major online platforms reveals that many induction cooktops are now out of stock.
NDTV explored Amazon, Flipkart, and Blinkit and found a sharp decline in the availability of induction cooktops.
On Blinkit, nearly all induction cooktop models were listed as out of stock. On Amazon, only a few brands like Kent and Usha were available, while most other brands were unavailable. On Flipkart, Kent induction cooktops were mostly available, but several other models showed out-of-stock status.
Amid LPG Shortage, Bengaluru PGs Told To Ban Dosa, Chapathi, Poori
An advisory has been issued by PG Owners Welfare Association, Bengaluru, urging paying guest accommodation owners to adopt temporary gas conservation measures in view of a shortage in LPG and commercial gas supply. There are an estimated 15-25 thousand PGs in Bengaluru.
After a core committee meeting earlier today, the association said disruption in LPG supply has created a shortage and recommended immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted food supply for PG residents.
Centre Reviews LPG Supply Situation At High-Level Meet With States
Amid concerns over the availability of cooking gas amid the Middle East war, the Centre has held a high-level meeting with States and Union Territories to review the LPG supply situation and ensure smooth distribution across the country.
Government sources said the Union Home Secretary chaired the meeting with Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police of all states and Union Territories. Senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs were also present.
States were informed that an LPG Control Order issued on March 8, 2026, directs refineries and petrochemical complexes to maximise LPG production and prioritise supply for domestic household consumers.
