New Delhi | March 20, 2026: The ongoing intense conflict between Iran and Israel has now begun to directly impact Indian households. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), in an emergency briefing today, acknowledged that the LPG (cooking gas) situation in the country remains “quite worrisome.”
However, the government has urged the public not to panic, assuring that necessary steps are being taken to manage the supply.
Ministry Statement: “Situation Worrisome, But Managed”
The Ministry’s Joint Secretary, Sujata Sharma, stated that the ongoing Middle East crisis over the past three weeks has disrupted the global supply chain. She said:
“The LPG situation may be worrisome, but we are not at a stage where domestic consumers will face shortages. We are making every possible effort to ensure uninterrupted supply to households.”
Why Has the LPG Shortage Occurred?
- Strait of Hormuz Blockade:
India imports around 60% of its LPG requirements from Gulf countries. With the Strait of Hormuz facing disruptions, the movement of ships has become difficult. - Panic Booking:
Consumers are booking extra cylinders out of fear. The number of bookings has surged from 5.5 million to 8.8 million, putting additional pressure on supply. - Qatar & UAE Attacks:
Iran’s attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility has significantly reduced LNG and LPG production, further tightening supply.
Government’s Major Steps: New Rules and Strict Measures
To control the situation, the Ministry has implemented several new measures:
- Booking Gap:
A minimum gap of 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas has been mandated for LPG refill bookings. - Domestic Priority:
Top priority is being given to households, hospitals, and schools. - Shift to PNG:
The Ministry has urged consumers to switch to PNG (piped natural gas) wherever available to reduce the burden on LPG cylinders. - Crackdown on Hoarding:
Over 15,000 cylinders have been seized across the country, and more than 4,500 raids have been conducted against hoarders.
🇺🇸 Looking to the US: Exploring Alternative Supply Routes
India is now attempting to source LPG from the United States instead of relying heavily on the Gulf. However, shipments from the US take longer to arrive and are more expensive. Despite this, the government is exploring every possible option to maintain a steady supply.
