Mr_Rajkamal India LPG Crisis: Government Says Efforts Underway to Stabilize Supply Amid West Asia Tensions
New Delhi / March 12, 2026: India is witnessing a growing cooking gas shortage as supply disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia begin to affect LPG availability across several states. Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said the government is working actively to bring the situation under control and secure additional supply sources.
Speaking to reporters in Thrissur, he said Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had already addressed questions regarding the LPG crisis in Parliament on March 11.
Diplomatic Efforts to Increase LPG Supply
The minister stated that due to diplomatic sensitivities, certain details related to LPG shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be publicly disclosed.
“The Prime Minister has spoken to several countries about how the Hormuz Strait issue has affected daily life and has sought exemptions for India. While exact data cannot be shared, new avenues are opening for us to receive additional LPG supplies,” Mr. Gopi said.
He added that the government is giving priority to essential services such as hospitals and crematoriums while distributing LPG during the shortage.
Global Oil Prices Cross $100
The crisis comes amid rising global oil prices following fresh Iranian strikes on energy infrastructure in West Asia.
| Crude Oil Benchmark | Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Brent Crude | $100.50 per barrel | +9.3% |
| West Texas Intermediate | $94.92 per barrel | +8.8% |
Queues at LPG Agencies in West Bengal
Long queues of auto-rickshaws and domestic consumers were seen outside LPG dispensing stations and gas agency offices in Kolkata and several districts of West Bengal.
- Auto LPG prices increased by around ₹5 per kg.
- Average daily bookings for Indane cylinders nearly doubled to about 2 lakh.
- Online booking servers frequently crashed due to heavy demand.
Consumers have started visiting distributor offices directly after online booking systems became unreliable due to server overload.
Illegal LPG Diversion Crackdown in Telangana
The Telangana Civil Supplies Department carried out raids in Warangal, Hanumakonda and Karmanghat in Hyderabad to stop illegal diversion of LPG cylinders.
- 22 domestic cylinders seized
- 25 small cylinders confiscated
- Gas refilling devices recovered
Authorities have asked citizens not to overbook cylinders and to report supply issues using the toll-free number 1967.
Kerala Restaurants Facing LPG Crisis
The shortage has also affected small restaurants in Kerala. The budget eatery chain Samridhi@Kochi is facing the possibility of closure as LPG supply continues to decline.
Some outlets are even considering switching to traditional firewood stoves as an emergency alternative.
Why India Is Facing LPG Shortage
Experts say India’s heavy dependence on imported LPG is the main reason behind the crisis. Currently, more than 85% of LPG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making the supply chain vulnerable to geopolitical tensions.
Unlike petrol and diesel, India has limited strategic LPG reserves, which means disruptions in international supply can quickly affect domestic availability.
The government, however, says the situation is being closely monitored and steps are being taken to ensure stable LPG supply across the country.
