23 March,2026 01:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Chhagan Bhujbal. File Pic
Maharashtra has increased the supply of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to restaurants and other commercial establishments by 20 per cent, offering much-needed relief to the hospitality sector grappling with fuel shortages, reported news agency PTI.
State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal announced that the revised supply will come into effect from March 23 and continue until further notice.
With the latest increase, total PNG supply to the commercial sector will now reach 50 per cent.
Restaurants, eateries and food businesses across Maharashtra had been severely impacted due to disruptions in cooking gas supply following geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Several establishments were either forced to scale down operations or temporarily shut due to fuel shortages.
Officials said the state had initially increased PNG allocation to 20 per cent after the crisis began, followed by a 10 per cent hike, reported PTI.
The latest 20 per cent boost is aimed at stabilising operations in the food and hospitality sector, which had been seeking urgent government intervention.
The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has disrupted global energy supply chains, particularly affecting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz - a critical route for oil and gas imports.
This has led to shortages of commercial cooking gas in India, directly affecting businesses dependent on LPG and PNG.
Hotel and restaurant associations had raised concerns over the possibility of a complete halt in commercial gas supply, warning that it could lead to widespread closures, reported PTI.
They had urged the government to ensure at least partial supply rather than a total suspension.
Minister Bhujbal acknowledged that switching to alternatives like kerosene would require major infrastructure changes and could pose safety and operational challenges for businesses, reported PTI.
The move comes as part of broader efforts to balance domestic and commercial energy needs while ensuring essential services continue to function smoothly.
The increase in PNG supply is expected to ease pressure on eateries and help restore normalcy in the sector in the coming weeks.
(With inputs from PTI)
