LPG News Highlights: Opposition leaders stage protest at Parliament over reported LPG shortage

Commercial LPG has been regulated to prevent black marketing, not to penalise the hospitality sector, says Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri informs: "The Home Secretary has held a meeting with Chief Secretaries of all states to align state-level administration with the central supply and information framework. Commercial LPG has been regulated to prevent black marketing, not to penalise the hospitality sector. Commercial LPG is sold in a completely deregulated over-the-counter market at market prices without any government subsidy. There is no registration system, no booking requirement, no digital authentication and no delivery confirmation mechanism. Any business or individual can purchase cylinders in any quantity at the point of sale, with no government control in normal times... The government has therefore taken the responsible course to regulate this channel with clear priorities and a transparent allocation mechanism.”

LPG News Live: When black marketing has started, how will the government find a solution to this, says Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav asks government to check black marketing of gas cylinders

LPG News Live: Strict action will be taken against anyone who engages in black marketing, says Gorakhpur DM

Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: On the action taken against two gas agencies for black marketing of domestic LPG, DM Deepak Meena says, "I request everyone not to panic. Do not pay attention to rumours. All household supplies we have are being booked. Due to panic, bookings have increased... We are keeping an eye on all retail sellers to see how much stock they have and how much they are distributing. Yesterday, we also took action by filing FIRs at 2 places, registering cases, and shutting down retail outlets. Strict action will be taken against anyone who engages in black marketing."

LPG News Live: Long queues outside a gas agency in Delhi

Long queues of people were spotted outside a gas agency in Delhi.

LPG News Live: Queues outside a gas agency in Nagpur

People wait outside a gas agency with their empty LPG cylinders and vehicles in Maharashtra's Nagpur.

Amid the LPG shortage unfolding in the country, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is asking people not to panic but is panicking himself for different reasons. Gandhi's comments came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said disruptions in the global energy supply chain caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia have created concerns, but asked citizens not to panic and expressed confidence that India would overcome the challenge.

Police in Jhansi arrested seven people and recovered 524 stolen LPG cylinders in a major theft case, according to a report by India Today. The cylinders were allegedly stolen from a truck parked outside a gas plant in the Sipri Bazar area between March 2 and March 6. According to police officials cited by India Today, authorities recovered 379 filled cylinders and 135 empty ones, along with more than Rs 11 lakh in cash, a firearm and a motorcycle. Investigators told India Today that two former drivers of the truck owner allegedly planned the theft to recover unpaid dues. The stolen cylinders were reportedly sold for about ₹13 lakh. All the accused have been sent to jail and further investigation is ongoing, the report added.

The Uttarakhand government has decided to provide commercial gas cylinders to hospitals and educational institutions on a priority basis amid fears of a possible disruption in gas supply due to conflict in West Asia. The government has also begun preparations to provide wood for commercial use if needed, but asserted that there was no shortage of gas cylinders in the state.

The Assam Police on Thursday said strict action will be taken against all those spreading rumours regarding shortage of LPG and other fuels, a day after Assam's Chief Secretary stated that local refineries can meet only about 30 per cent of the state’s demand for the cooking fuel. In a post on X, Assam Police advised citizens not to believe or forward any such misleading claims that may be spread by “inimical elements” to try and create confusion. The government has already formed a dedicated media monitoring committee to track rumours, misinformation and misleading reports that may create panic among consumers.

LPG News Live: Queues outside gas agencies in Bhopal

People line up outside a gas agency in Bhopal to get LPG cylinders and refuel their two-wheelers.

Opposition leaders stage a protest at Parliament premises over reported LPG shortage.

Opposition leaders stage a protest at Parliament premises over reported LPG shortage.

A shortage of LPG cylinders in Tamil Nadu is beginning to reshape everyday routines in hostels and paying guest accommodations, with operators cutting back on several common food items to conserve gas.

The Tamil Nadu IT Hostel and PG Owners Welfare Association has advised hostel operators across the state to reduce LPG consumption as supplies remain tight. In a notice issued to members, the association said a series of temporary measures should be implemented until the situation improves.

Among the most visible changes is the suspension of tea and coffee services in many hostels. Operators have also been asked to stop preparing food items that require high gas usage, including staples such as chapathi and dosa.

Panic buying was reported at CNG stations across Hyderabad on Wednesday, with long queues of auto-rickshaws forming amid fears that disruptions in LPG supply could spill over into CNG availability.

Since early morning, dozens of drivers were seen waiting at CNG dispensing points at petrol pumps across the city. Drivers said the sudden surge in demand has sharply increased waiting times, forcing many to spend hours in queues just to refill their vehicles.

Auto-rickshaw drivers are also appealing to commuters to voluntarily pay Rs 20 to Rs 30 extra per ride, saying their earnings have been hit by rising fuel costs.

According to drivers, CNG prices have climbed from around Rs 70 in December 2025 to between Rs 95 and Rs 97 as of Wednesday, significantly increasing operating expenses for daily commuters in the sector.

Meanwhile, restaurant operators have raised serious allegations of black marketing on social media. According to a media reports, some operators had to shut their restaurants because of the gas shortage and that more than Rs 5,000 is being demanded for a single cylinder in the black market.

The government has a mechanism to regulate LPG prices and takes decisions according to its framework, Gopi said.

He added that petroleum companies have been granted the authority to determine prices as they operate as public sector undertakings.

Gopi acknowledged that some restaurants have shut operations due to LPG shortages but said authorities are working to resolve the issue.

He said efforts are underway to restore supplies and enable affected establishments to reopen.

Gopi said the Petroleum Ministry believes the LPG situation is under control, though he acknowledged that several external technical factors remain outside India’s control.

“We, as a ministry, feel the situation is under control. However, we have no right to control several technical aspects outside the country,” he said.

Gopi said India is exploring new avenues to secure LPG supplies as global disruptions impact energy markets.

“I am not giving the exact data, but ways are opening for us to get more LPG,” he told reporters.

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said the government is working to stabilise LPG supplies and that new avenues are opening to secure additional imports.

Speaking to reporters, Gopi said efforts are underway to bring the situation under control and ensure that the country has access to more LPG supply in the coming days.

A black market for LPG cylinders has reportedly emerged in parts of Delhi, with domestic cylinders being sold for Rs 2,000–2,500 and commercial cylinders approaching Rs 3,000, nearly double official prices.

Low-income households, especially those relying on smaller 5-kg cylinders, are among the worst affected.

Quick-commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto have run out of induction cooktops in several locations as demand spikes across cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Authorities say household LPG supply remains the top priority as the government works to stabilise the market. Distribution networks are being monitored to ensure domestic users do not face shortages.

Some restaurant owners say they are considering modifying menus by reducing dishes that require heavy gas usage. Operators say these changes may become necessary if LPG cylinder availability does not improve.

Restaurant owners say they may need to increasingly rely on electric cooking equipment if LPG supplies remain constrained. However, industry players warn that switching to electric appliances could raise costs and affect certain cooking techniques.

Hospitality industry representatives have urged the government to grant restaurants essential services status, similar to provisions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply for food businesses.

According to the NRAI, around 70–75% of restaurants across India rely on LPG for cooking operations. Industry leaders say this heavy dependence makes the sector particularly vulnerable to disruptions in commercial cylinder supply.

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) says the restaurant industry could face losses of Rs 1,200–1,300 crore per day if the LPG shortage persists. Industry leaders say a prolonged disruption could severely impact operations across the country.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has contacted several prospective supplier nations to strengthen India’s energy supply arrangements. Sources say negotiations are underway to secure additional crude and LPG shipments.

India has expanded its oil sourcing strategy to around 40 countries, up from 27 earlier, as geopolitical tensions disrupt global supply chains. Officials say the move is aimed at strengthening energy security and reducing reliance on specific regions.

Government sources say citizens should not panic as India is actively securing energy supplies from a wider network of countries. Officials say diversification of imports is already underway to ensure uninterrupted availability of LPG and other fuels.

Restaurants and hotels across several Indian cities are reporting disruptions as supplies of commercial LPG cylinders tighten. Hospitality associations say eateries in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata are struggling to procure cylinders, forcing some establishments to temporarily suspend operations. Industry bodies warn the situation could worsen if supply disruptions continue.