India’s LPG shortage worsened on March 12, 2026, with long queues at agencies in Noida, Lucknow, Delhi, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata amid US-Iran conflict fallout, prompting govt assurances of stabilized supply via 10% production hikes.
Hospitality Reels Under Commercial Gas Halt
Restaurants in Mumbai (20% closures), Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Thiruvananthapuram report zero commercial cylinders since March 8, slashing menus or shutting; NRAI warns ₹1,200 Cr daily losses, black market risks. Haryana seeks daily reports; Tamil Nadu stocks last 1-2 days.
Centre Prioritises Homes, Extends Booking to 25 Days
Essential Commodities Act invoked for household/hospital/school priority; refineries at 100% capacity boost output, no petrol/diesel hikes expected as crude sourcing expands to 40 countries from 27. ₹60 domestic/₹115 commercial hikes last week.
Hormuz Blockade Fuels Panic Amid Imports Crunch
Strait disruptions hit India’s 62% LPG imports; monitoring curbs hoarding, grievance panels formed—officials urge calm as supplies normalize.
