LPG Shortage March 14 Highlights: Two Indian flagged vessels carrying 92,000 tons of LPG safely cross strait of Homruz

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has amended its supply order to bar consumers with piped natural gas (PNG) connections from retaining, obtaining, or refilling domestic LPG cylinders. Government oil companies have also been directed not to issue LPG connections or refills to households that already have PNG connections.

Amid a cooking gas shortage linked to the conflict in West Asia, the Kerala government has asked public sector oil companies to relax restrictions on LPG supply for commercial use. Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil also raised the request with Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, PTI reported.

Oil companies like IOCL, BPCL and HPCL indicated they would prioritise supply to essential sectors such as hospitals, old age homes, orphanages, schools, hostels, government canteens and public eateries. The state will prepare a list of priority institutions and share it with the companies.

"What kind of blow is this to the centuries-old traditions of Kashi, Narendra Modi ji? It is a matter of deep anguish that, due to a severe shortage of LPG, even Kashi's sacred 'Maa Annapurna Ki Rasoi' has been forced to shut down today. A door from where no one ever returned hungry, today even sadhus, saints, and devotees are being compelled to go back without a meal," he wrote on X in Hindi.

Speaking to the reporters in Guna, union minister Scindia said, "The Prime Minister has assured the citizens of the country that there will be no shortage of oil, kerosene, or diesel. We are making every possible effort regarding the supply of gas, and due to the success of the Prime Minister's diplomacy, the Strait of Hormuz has been opened for India, ensuring that the country does not face any shortage of oil or gas."

"In addition, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri presented a detailed analysis of the entire situation in Parliament yesterday and confirmed that India has sufficient reserves... At such a time, the Congress party and the Leader of the Opposition are busy baking political bread... The Congress is not concerned about the country," he added.

As the availability of commercial LPG cylinders tightens in Himachal Pradesh’s capital, sales of induction stoves and electric burners have surged, turning appliance stores into unlikely lifelines for kitchens across the city.

The shortage has dealt a heavy blow to the hospitality sector, with hoteliers and dhaba owners increasingly turning to electric appliances to keep their stoves running. Households, too, are buying these units as a backup, wary of further disruptions in gas supply.

Diveyesh, who runs an appliance showroom, told PTI that demand has spiked for both commercial and household electric burners. “We earlier sold three to four units a week, but now we’re selling eight to nine a day,” he said, adding that induction-friendly cookware is also flying off the shelves.

SN Sharma, a salesman at another appliance store, said the rush has taken on the tone of panic buying. “Earlier, we sold one or two pieces a day. Today alone, we’ve already sold eight,” he said.

The crunch is also nudging consumers toward other alternatives. Coal dealers say demand has picked up, though local supplier Rajan noted that prices remain steady and stocks are sufficient for now.

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), representing over 500,000 restaurants employing 8 million people, has warned of widespread business closures after the government halted commercial LPG supply to the hospitality sector to protect household supply. NRAI president Sagar Daryani told CNBC the industry faces "closure of business and job losses" within days. In Tamil Nadu, the Chennai Hotel Association said nearly 10,000 establishments will shut by Wednesday. In Bengaluru, many eateries have already restricted menus to tea and coffee after commercial cylinder refills were halted from March 7. Restaurateur Zorawar Kalra warned that a single day of disruption costs the broader economy ₹1,200–1,300 crore.

Gujarat Police will take strict action against hoarders of LPG cylinders and black marketeers, In-Charge DGP K.L.N Rao said on Saturday. He said police have been directed to take strict legal action against such offenders.

After attending a high-level crime conference in Surat district, Rao said police have been directed to take stringent action against anyone involved in hoarding or selling LPG cylinders on the black market.

"In a meeting with Collectors, District Supply Officers and officials of the Civil Supplies Department, we have instructed that vehicles belonging to LPG agencies and distributors should not be obstructed so that supply remains uninterrupted. At the same time, strict checks will be carried out to ensure that LPG cylinders are safe and free from leakage," Rao told PTI.

(With inputs from PTI)

Eateries have cut their menus, increased prices, while many have moved to coal to surmount the LPG crisis, even as two Indian ships carrying the domestic gas from the Gulf countries crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday morning.

LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi are now headed to Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping, told a media briefing. The vessels are carrying 92,700 tonnes of LPG, he said, adding Shivalik is likely to reach Mundra on March 16, and Nanda Devi is likely to dock at Kandla the next day.

The West Asia conflict has impacted the supply of crude oil and petroleum products, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow water passage between Iran and Oman. In Delhi, large corporate gatherings and group parties are now taking a backseat in restaurant calendars, as eateries scale back menus and bookings amid the crunch.

Commercial LPG cylinder distribution has begun in 29 states and Union Territories, while authorities have stepped up raids and surprise inspections across the country to curb hoarding and black-marketing amid heightened pressure on cooking gas supplies, a senior oil ministry official said on Saturday.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said panic booking continues to rise despite the fact that there are enough stocks available to meet domestic household requirements of cooking gas LPG.

India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Saturday ⁠that ​it has barred consumers with piped ​natural ​gas connections ⁠from retaining, obtaining or refilling ‌domestic LPG cylinders under an amended supply ⁠order.

The ⁠amendment also prohibits government ⁠oil ‌companies ​from providing LPG ‌connections or refills ‌to ​consumers ​who ​already have PNG connections, ​the ministry said ⁠in a statement.

The state level coordinator of three major oil marketing companies on Saturday sought to allay fears of a fuel shortage in the state and urged the people not to believe rumors.

Indian Oil Corporation's Executive Director and State Head for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry M Annadurai said the three terminals operated by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd and IndianOil Corporation Ltd, have sufficient stock of High Speed Diesel and Motor Spirit (Petrol), which would last for the next nine days.

In another development symbolising the on-ground panic around the fear of a potential LPG shortage, a 70-year-old embroidery worker died of a suspected heart attack while waiting in a long queue to collect an LPG cylinder in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad on Friday.

Following the opening of a safe passage through the strait of Homruz for Indian vessels carrying 92,000 tons of LPG, officials have clarified that a total of 22 Indian flagged vessels are still present in the strait of Homruz. Classifying the category of the cargo of the vessels presently located in Hormuz, Indian officials clarified that the stranded ships include four crude oil vessels, six LPG carrying ships and one LNG carrier.

In a major development, Indian officials have recently confirmed that Indian flagged Shivalik and Nanda have crossed the Stait of Hormuz. Indian government officials have also verified that the vessels that have recently crossed the strait of Hormuz are carrying 92,000 tons of LPG and are expected to reach India by March 16-17.

In a notable development, the Tamil Nadu government has announced that restaurants, tea shops, cloud kitchens, and other food production units that switch from LPG to electric stoves will soon receive a subsidy of Rs2 per unit for the additional electricity consumed.

This subsidy will remain in force for the duration of the restrictions on commercial LPG usage imposed by the Central Government. To help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Tamil Nadu manage the current LPG crisis, the Chief Minister has ordered the provision of loans with subsidies for purchasing electric equipment, such as electric stoves and heaters.

Under the Unemployed Youth Employment Generation Programme (UYEGP), eligible entrepreneurs can avail of a 25% subsidy up to Rs3.75 lakh, while the Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurship Development Scheme offers a 25% subsidy, capped at Rs2 lakh, for loans up to Rs10 lakh to empower women-led businesses, the release noted.

Additionally, for the promotion of SC/ST entrepreneurs, the Annai Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme provides a higher 35% capital subsidy, up to a maximum of Rs1 crore, encouraging the adoption of high-efficiency electric machinery.

(With inputs from ANI)

Puducherry government has opened a Control room in the Collectorate to receive complaints of illegal sale or diversion of domestic LPG cylinders to hotels and restaurants. Director of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs of Puducherry government Muthu Meena said in a release on Saturday that people can file complaints to the Control room through toll free number 1077.

The government would take strict action under Essential Commodities Act 1955 and other relevant laws to prevent such illegal practices. The director said that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had instructed that domestic LPG cylinders should be supplied strictly for household use only and should not be diverted for commercial purposes.

The Oil Marketing Companies have also assured the government that adequate stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders are available and that there would be no interruption in supply. Regular reviews are held both at the government and district levels.

V. Hanumantha Rao of the Indian National Congress urged the government to address rising public panic over reports of LPG shortages. He said uncertainty is increasing fear among citizens and forcing some hotels to shut down. Rao called for proactive communication from authorities to reassure the public and prevent black marketing of cooking gas cylinders.

The Government of Puducherry has set up a control room at the Collectorate to receive complaints about illegal sale or diversion of domestic LPG cylinders to hotels and restaurants. Officials said citizens can report violations through the toll-free number 1077. Authorities warned that strict action will be taken under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955

Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) criticised the Centre and the Government of Maharashtra over the LPG shortage, accusing them of spreading a “false narrative.” He claimed nearly 40% of hotels have shut due to the shortage and alleged the situation worsened due to failures in international diplomacy, while leaders remain focused on election campaigning.

Daily wage workers and migrants are among the hardest hit by the shortage. Limited incomes make it difficult for them to invest in alternative cooking appliances, forcing them to rely on old stoves and temporary solutions.

The ongoing LPG shortage has once again highlighted the need for sustainable cooking fuels in India. Experts say expanding access to biogas, solar cooking systems, and other clean energy solutions could reduce dependence on imported LPG in the long run.

-Agencies

The Confederation of All India Traders urged authorities in Bhopal to restore limited supplies of commercial LPG cylinders to avoid a shutdown of the hospitality sector. CAIT’s district president Dharmendra Sharma warned that thousands of livelihoods could be affected if supply is not resumed soon and called for the sector to be treated as an essential service.

Mohammad Jawed of the Indian National Congress alleged that the government’s claims of adequate LPG supply do not match ground realities. He said MPs were unable to get tea or coffee in the Parliament canteen due to cooking gas issues. Jawed also claimed black marketing was pushing cylinder prices to Rs 1,500– Rs 2,000 in some places.

-ANI

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh conducted raids at 1,483 locations and arrested six people in a crackdown on LPG cylinder black marketing. Officials said 24 FIRs were registered during the operation carried out with district administrations. The drive follows instructions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to closely monitor LPG supply and prevent irregularities across the state.

The Government of Manipur has said there is no shortage of LPG or petroleum products in the state despite concerns linked to the West Asia crisis. Officials said Indian Oil Corporation confirmed adequate stock. Authorities added that recent distribution disruptions were caused by a technical issue in the Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) system, which has now been resolved.

-PTI

Dilip Ghosh of the Bharatiya Janata Party said the Centre has assured citizens that there is no need to panic over reports of LPG shortages. He claimed attempts were being made to create fear among people despite government assurances. Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress criticised the Centre, alleging policy decisions have forced citizens to stand in long queues for cooking gas.

The government has also ensured that hospitals and educational institutions receive uninterrupted LPG supply. Officials say these institutions depend on cooking gas for daily operations, including preparing meals. Priority allocation helps prevent disruptions in essential services during supply challenges.

Authorities have appealed to citizens not to panic-book LPG cylinders. Officials say panic buying can worsen shortages and create unnecessary pressure on supply systems. They have urged consumers to book cylinders only when needed and allow distribution systems to function smoothly.

Officials from the Food Distribution Department cracked down on a gang involved in LPG cylinder black marketing in Worli, Mumbai. During the raid at Suraj Vallabhdas Chawl, authorities seized multiple filled and empty cylinders belonging to Super Gas and HP Gas. The operation targeted illegal stockpiling and sale of cylinders at inflated prices amid supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, according to a report by ANI.

The Centre has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to regulate LPG supply during the crisis. The move allows the government to control distribution and prevent misuse or hoarding. Officials say this step is aimed at ensuring that households continue receiving cooking gas despite disruptions in global supply chains.