10 March,2026 02:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/AFP
Several cities across India are facing a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, prompting warnings from hotel and restaurant associations about possible shutdowns. Hospitality industry bodies in cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai say irregular gas supplies over the past few days have disrupted kitchen operations, forcing some eateries to cut menus, reduce working hours and temporarily halt services. The sector has urged the Centre to intervene and ensure uninterrupted LPG supply to prevent further disruption to food services.
The shortage comes amid supply disruptions linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The conflict has affected global energy shipping routes, including the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for oil and gas supplies.
Industry bodies say restaurants are finding it increasingly difficult to procure commercial LPG cylinders, which are essential for daily operations. Many establishments have begun reducing menus and operating hours to conserve gas.
The hospitality sector has urged the Centre to intervene and ensure uninterrupted distribution of commercial cooking gas.
In Bengaluru, the Bangalore Hotels Association warned that restaurant operations across the city could be severely affected.
"Since the gas supply has stopped, the hotels will be closed from tomorrow," the association said in a statement issued on Monday.
The association noted that the hotel industry provides essential services to a wide range of people including students, medical professionals and daily commuters who depend on eateries for regular meals.
It also said oil companies had earlier assured an uninterrupted gas supply for 70 days, making the sudden disruption a major setback for the hospitality sector.
Association president PC Rao later told reporters that hotels would continue functioning "till the last drop" of available gas stock.
In Chennai, the hotel industry has also warned that the situation is becoming critical. The city's hotel association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention.
Association president M Ravi said disruptions in commercial LPG supply could affect hospitals, IT parks, college hostels and travellers who depend on the food industry.
"The food industry works on a 24x7 basis and any disruption in LPG supply will severely affect essential food services," Ravi said, adding that banquet bookings and large-scale catering services could also be impacted.
Mumbai's hospitality sector is also feeling the impact, with industry estimates suggesting that nearly 20 per cent of hotels and restaurants have temporarily suspended operations due to the shortage.
Several well-known eateries in areas such as Dadar, Andheri and Matunga have begun shortening their menus, dropping slow-cooked dishes such as dal makhani and rava dosa that require longer cooking times.
Restaurants have also reduced operating hours to preserve remaining LPG supplies.
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has also raised concerns, stating that suppliers are unable to meet the demand for commercial LPG cylinders, severely affecting restaurant operations.
The LPG shortage has also affected civic services in Pune. The Pune Municipal Corporation has temporarily shut down gas crematoriums due to restrictions on the use of LPG components such as propane and butane.
According to civic officials, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas directed that available propane and butane be prioritised for domestic LPG supply across the country.
Electric and wood-fired crematoriums will continue operating to avoid inconvenience to residents, officials said.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed oil refineries to increase LPG production and divert additional hydrocarbon streams to the domestic LPG pool.
The government has also invoked the Essential Commodities Act to ensure uninterrupted supply of cooking gas.
Authorities have introduced a 25-day inter-booking period for domestic LPG refills to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
Non-domestic LPG supplies from imports are currently being prioritised for essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.
A committee comprising senior officials from oil marketing companies has also been formed to review requests from restaurants, hotels and other industries seeking LPG supplies.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that India's overall energy supply situation remains stable despite global disruptions.
"Energy imports into the country are in full flow from all non-Hormuz routes. The energy requirements of our citizens are being fully met," Puri said.
However, industry bodies warn that unless commercial LPG supplies are restored soon, the hospitality sector could face widespread disruptions affecting millions of consumers who rely on restaurants for daily meals.
