LPG crisis updates: Those trying to cause panic are harming the country, says PM Modi

Gig workers associated with food delivery platforms in Bengaluru said their incomes have fallen sharply, as the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders triggered by the ongoing West Asia crisis has forced several restaurants to temporarily shut down or scale back operations on online platforms.

The workers, whose earnings depend entirely on the number of deliveries they complete in a day, said the disruption has drastically reduced the volume of food orders on delivery apps. According to them, orders have fallen by nearly 50% to 70% over the past three days.

Street vendors and owners of roadside carts and stalls are the hardest hit due to the restrictions placed on commercial LPG supply in the country.

In Vijayawada, where streets bustle with heightened activity in the evenings with many people thronging their favourite stalls for a plate of deep-fried snacks, the crisis has left many owners struggling to keep their stalls running.

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Roadside eateries in Vijayawada worst hit by LPG crisis

Vijayawada's roadside eateries struggle to survive amid the LPG crisis, forcing many to reduce operations or close temporarily.

With the Union government releasing additional stocks of kerosene, fuel outlets are likely to stock superior kerosene oil (SKO) as an alternative fuel to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for commercial consumers. It is also likely that coal too would be sold through different channels for use in homes and commercial establishments.

Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers Association president K. P. Murali, said that the Centre has directed the Petroleum Ministry to grant permission to the oil marketing companies to issue immediate permission to establish temporary sheds in retail outlets to store and supply SKO. 

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Retailers in Chennai likely to stock kerosene to tide over LPG crisis

Chennai retailers prepare to stock kerosene oil as an alternative amid LPG supply issues, aiding commercial consumers during the crisis.

Amid a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders due to escalating conflict in West Asia, the Delhi government on Saturday announced a regulated distribution policy that caps supply at 20% of the average daily consumption and introduced priority-based allocation for essential services.

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The Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) Amma canteens have started registering a rise in sales and footfall as the acute shortage of LPG cylinders, due to the West Asian conflict, continues in the city.

A canteen in Anna Nagar has registered a 25% increase in sales in the past two days, while another canteen in Korattur has registered a 50% increase. 

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Amma canteens in Chennai see an increase in sales as LPG crisis forces hotels to shut

Amma canteens in Chennai experience rising sales as LPG shortages force hotels to close, attracting more customers.

Mandya Deputy Commissioner Kumar has assured the public that there is no need to panic over the supply of domestic cooking gas, stating that there will be no disruption in LPG supply in the district.

Speaking at a meeting held with representatives of oil marketing companies — HPCL, BPCL and IOCL — he said that there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders in the district at present.

Dr. Kumar said the district requires about 12,000 LPG cylinders daily for domestic use and over three lakh cylinders per month, and assured that adequate arrangements will be made to meet the demand.

Opposition Congress MLAs on Thursday (March 12, 2026) claimed that people in Chhattisgarh have been facing a shortage of cooking gas cylinders, demanding a discussion in the State Assembly on the measures being taken to ensure smooth supply amid the West Asia conflict.

The Opposition’s demand for discussion was disallowed by the Chairperson who cited that the matter pertained to the Centre. The Congress MLAs trooped into the Well of the House raising slogans against the government, leading to their automatic suspension.

The West Bengal government on Thursday (March 12, 2026) chalked out the standard operating procedure (SOP) to manage the supply and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) amid reports of fuel shortage in the country triggered by the conflict in West Asia.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had called for the framing of an SOP at an emergency meeting on Wednesday (March 11) to discuss ways to mitigate the situation.

Amid mounting global anxieties over energy security, triggered by the intensifying conflict in West Asia, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has fortified its fuel reserves, ensuring that the famed temple remains insulated from the ripple effects of a potential LPG crunch.

While the war in the volatile West-Asia region continues to rattle international energy markets and raise fears of supply disruptions in petro products and cooking gas (LPG), the temple administration has moved with calculated foresight to safeguard the uninterrupted functioning of the sacred temple body.

The temple ecosystem atop Tirumala depends heavily on LPG for its daily operations, consuming nearly six tonnes of the fuel every day to sustain its vast culinary infrastructure.

TTD fortifies LPG reserves amid West Asia war

TTD strengthens LPG reserves amid West Asia conflict, ensuring uninterrupted operations for Annadanam and laddu production at Tirumala.

In Hyderabad, domestic LPG customers experienced difficulties for the second day consecutively, on Thursday (March 12, 2026), in placing orders successfully for the refills.

Panic booking by the households in Telangana’s capital is the main reason, sources in the oil industry attributed, adding that customers of all three public sector oil companies, IOC, BPCL and HPCL, encountered challenges. 

Meanwhile in the neighbouring State, the Andhra Pradesh government clarified that the situation was under control and no dry-outs had been reported at any LPG bottling plants.

In an official statement, the government informed that the total LPG stock availability as on Thursday (March 12, 2026) was 17,962 MT, while there were 161.19 lakh LPG connections in the State. 

Amid fears of hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders in Maharashtra, officials at the taluka level have formed teams to monitor illegal stockpiling.

“Another advisory will be issued to prioritise consumers under commercial LPG supply. Every taluka has set up a team under the tehsildar. We are also resolving complaints as we receive them, inspecting places where there is a possibility of hoarding, and taking strict action,” said Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi.

Residents were seen standing in long queues outside LPG cylinder supplying agencies in Solapur, Amravati, and Thane districts, and the State capital, Mumbai.

The Meghalaya government has activated a State-level monitoring mechanism under the chief secretary to track LPG supply and distribution daily, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Methodius Dkhar said on Thursday.

The authorities also assured that an adequate stock of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is available across the State and urged consumers not to panic.-- PTI

The West Bengal government on Thursday issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure coordinated monitoring of LPG supply and distribution, while announcing the setting up of a round-the-clock control room at the State secretariat Nabanna to address supply-related grievances.

The decision was taken during a special meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna with officials of all departments, with district authorities joining the discussion virtually to review the LPG supply situation across the state.

Banerjee said the State government is keeping a close watch on gas supply to hospitals, households, schools and other institutions, and hoarding will not be tolerated.-- PTI

The opposition Congress on Thursday intensified its attack on the Centre and the Rajasthan government over uncertainty in LPG supplies, saying people are forced to stand in long queues for gas cylinders like during demonetisation.

Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said the BJP governments at the Centre and in the State have failed to handle the situation and left people to deal with the crisis on their own.

The Rajasthan government has denied that there was any shortage of LPG supplies.

“Just like people were made to stand in queues during demonetisation, they are now being forced to queue up for gas cylinders,” Mr. Dotasra told reporters at the party’s war room.--- PTI

The Delhi government on Thursday assured people that the supply of liquefied petroleum gas, petrol, diesel, and piped natural gas in the city was normal, and urged them to refrain from panic buying or hoarding.

A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said that there was no scarcity of fuel and officials were carrying out rigorous inspections to curb black-marketing and hoarding of LPG cylinders.

“The Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs has deployed field officers to facilitate hassle-free bookings and ensure compliance. Enforcement teams are conducting rigorous inspections to curb black-marketing and hoarding,” it said.--- PTI

Many restaurants in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have curtailed their menus or are planning to switch to dishes that can be cooked using wood or coal, while a few have shut down, owners said on Thursday, citing cooking gas supply disruptions.

Manoj Kacchwa, a restaurant owner from the Kranti Chowk area of the city, claimed that they are finding it difficult to get commercial LPG cylinders amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. The wait time is too long, he said.

“We are serving items that are cooked on a low flame. But this is not the case everywhere. Many of my friends who have hotels in Waluj, Ranjangaon, Bidkin and Chikalthana industrial areas have shut their hotels due to gas shortage,” he said.-- PTI

India strongly condemns any attack on its merchant ships from any quarter: MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal

On the distribution front, no dry out has been reported among distributors but there has been a manifold increase in booking because of panic: Sujata Sharma, Jt Secretary, MoPNG 

Interim period between booking two LPG cylinders continues to be 25 days for urban areas, but extended to 45 days for rural since yesterday night: Sujata Sharma, Jt Secretary, MoPNG--- Saptaparno Ghosh

Long queues of motorists were seen outside petrol stations across Tamil Nadu on Thursday as panic buying took hold of several cities, triggered by a worsening shortage of commercial LPG that has already forced numerous eateries to shut down or drastically reduce their menus.

While oil marketing companies and state government officials have repeatedly assured the public that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel, the sight of dry outlets in the commercial gas sector has sparked widespread anxiety.

Residents in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai reported waiting for over 45 minutes to fill their vehicle tanks, with some carrying additional containers despite regulations against the practice.-- PTI

As the LPG supply crisis continues to affect commercial establishments, domestic consumers are now also feeling the heat due to booking issues, with distributors flooded with consumer queries.

Although oil companies claim the shortage is limited to commercial cylinders, distributors say many areas are also facing a shortage of domestic cylinders.

LPG distributors said they were being flooded with consumer queries but had no clear answers to offer.

“80% of our LPG supply is from Qatar, and we have no alternative source. This is the main issue. For the government, domestic supply is more important, and they do not bother about the commercial supply,” Sanal Kumar. G, general secretary of the All India LPG Distributors Federation (Kerala Circle), told PTI.

The Punjab government is on alert amid rumours about a possible shortage of LPG cylinders due to the ongoing war in Gulf countries, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Thursday (March 12, 2026).

Mr. Mann said the State government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that people do not face any difficulty in getting essential commodities.

He said rumours about LPG shortage are spreading in different parts of the country due to tensions in the Gulf region, causing unnecessary concern among people.-- PTI

Asserting that the foundation of every single nation is its energy security, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that the government has “bartered” to the U.S. India’s right to determine its relationships with different oil suppliers due to a “compromise”.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Gandhi said the war between the U.S.-Israel and Iran is going to have far-reaching consequences.

“The central artery from where 20% of global oil flows, Strait of Hormuz, has been closed and this is going to have tremendous repercussions, particularly for us because a very large portion of our oil and natural gas comes through the Strait of Hormuz,” Mr. Gandhi said.

“The pain has just started -- restaurants are closing, there is widespread panic about LPG, street vendors are affected and as I said, this is only the beginning,” the former Congress president said.--- PTI

The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued notices to the Union petroleum and natural gas ministry as well as a private firm in connection with a petition filed by six LPG distributors seeking increased supply of domestic cooking gas cylinders amid the energy crisis due to the Iran war.

The petitioners claimed Nagpur-headquartered Confidence Petroleum India Ltd had failed to augment the supply of household LPG cylinders despite the Centre’s directive prioritising domestic distribution.--- PTI

The LPG supply scarcity in Karnataka has led to apprehension about the continuity of the Indira Canteens in the city, sources in the municipal body said on Thursday.

Indira Canteens are the Congress government’s flagship initiatives which were started by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his previous stint from 2013 to 2018.

There are about 180 Indira canteens in the city, which were built to feed the urban poor at a highly subsidised price. They offer breakfast at Rs five and meals for ₹10.

The canteens have been functioning perfectly well till now, but the Iran-Israel-U.S. conflict has cast its shadow on these government run canteens.--- PTI

“LPG production increased by 28% in last 5 days. Panic on LPG supply driven by consumer anxiety rather than supply shortage,” Hardeep Singh Puri said.-- Reuters

The shortage of LPG in the country could disrupt operations of Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) chains and drive input cost inflation for consumer-facing companies, as supply constraints ripple across sectors ranging from restaurants to glass and plastics manufacturing.

Brokerage Goldman Sachs, in a report, said India faces an LPG shortage, importing 60% of its supply, with 90% of imports transiting the geopolitically impacted Strait of Hormuz.

Despite a 25% increase in domestic production, supply remains constrained. The government is prioritising LPG for domestic cooking and essential sectors, like hospitals, while restricting supply to non-essential commercial enterprises, including restaurants.

Media reports indicate that LPG supply to other commercial users, including restaurants and several industries, has been restricted, potentially affecting operations across multiple sectors. - PTI

An acute LPG shortage in Shimla is threatening the city’s vibrant tourism industry, forcing hotels to cancel weddings and large events. As the disruption stems from the ongoing crisis in West Asia, industry leaders warn that if gas supplies are not restored soon, the impact could jeopardise the livelihoods of workers and the overall economy in Himachal Pradesh’s capital city.

According to representatives of the hotel and tourism sector, the shortage has intensified amid the ongoing crisis in Iran and the wider Middle East, which has disrupted LPG availability across several parts of the country.

Mohinder Seth, president of the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association, said hotels in the hill city are struggling to manage basic kitchen operations owing to the halt in commercial LPG bottling.

“Some hotels have already started cancelling marriage functions and large parties because commercial gas is not available. We have requested the authorities to provide at least rationed cylinders so that hotels can serve basic food to tourists and staff,” Mr. Seth said.

He added that the association has already approached government officials seeking immediate relief and has suggested rationing of cylinders based on hotel capacity. - ANI

Micro, small, and medium industries in Bengaluru are increasingly growing concerned about the ongoing LPG supply crunch and rising prices due to tensions in West Asia.

MSMEs in Bengaluru on edge amid LPG crunch

Bengaluru's MSMEs face severe risks from the LPG supply crunch, threatening production, costs, and employment across industries.

Exporters’ body FIEO on Thursday urged the government to allocate LPG and natural gas to export-oriented manufacturing units on a priority basis, as any disruptions in the fuel availability will create problems in maintaining production schedules.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S.C. Ralhan said that he has written a letter in this regard to the commerce and industry ministry.

“Manufacturing exporters are facing issues. There is an urgent need for priority allocation of LPG/natural gas as fuel for export-oriented units (EOUs) and export-oriented SMEs,” Mr. Ralhan said.

-PTI

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday (March 12, 2026) urged people not to panic about the availability of fuel and cooking gas, saying the Centre has reiterated that the country has sufficient stock.

‘Fuel stocks sufficient in T.N.’: CM Stalin urges calm as motorists crowd outlets

CM Stalin assures Tamil Nadu residents of sufficient fuel stocks, urging calm amid rising demand and panic buying at outlets.

Opposition Congress created an uproar in the Chhattisgarh assembly on Thursday, claiming that people in the State have been facing a shortage of cooking gas cylinders, and demanded a discussion on the issue.

Legislators from the party trooped into the well of the House after their demand was disallowed, leading to their automatic suspension.

-PTI

The Andhra Pradesh LPG Distributors Association on Thursday (March 12, 2026) said that restricting domestic cooking gas for household use can enable the state to tide over a fortnight without shortage.

The association president K Srinatha Reddy appealed to domestic consumers to use cooking gas for their own household use and refrain from selling it to hotels, especially at a time when the US- Israel and Iran war has disrupted fuel supplies globally.

“We distributors appeal only one thing, (domestic) users should use their own cylinders, they should not sell it to others. If we can do this, we can have two to three weeks of stocks for domestic (use and) we can sustain for one month without an issue,” Mr. Reddy told PTI.

Enticed by money, he said some domestic consumers are selling gas cylinders at up to ₹2,000 per unit. He appealed to people to cooperate with the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and the government.

According to Mr. Reddy, on normal days up to 2.6 lakh gas cylinders are booked per day.

Alarmed by the war disruptions, he said bookings crossed three lakh for two days on Monday (March 9) and Tuesday (March 10) but they reduced on Wednesday (March 11) as bookings could not happen properly.

Following raids in Adoni and Mantralayam by authorities, Mr. Reddy said 170 domestic cylinders were seized from hotels.

Observing that OMCs ceased delivering gas without Delivery Authentication Code (DAC), he said some issues with software have also impeded gas bookings. -- PTI

While the disruption in the supply of LPG cylinders amid the West Asia crisis has led to a shortage for commercial and industrial consumers in Himachal Pradesh, Indian Oil Corporation officials on Thursday (March 12, 2026) said the domestic supply remains unaffected.

According to the officials, commercial cylinders are being supplied to hospitals and educational institutions from the dealers’ available stock.

“There is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders in the state, and regular supply has been maintained. Commercial consumers are facing a shortage, but priority sectors like hospitals and educational institutions are being supplied from the stock available with the dealers,” said Mohammad Amid, Divisional LPG sales head, Indian Oil Corporation.

When asked how long the shortage of commercial cylinders will continue, he said that the Ministry of Petroleum is holding a high-level meeting to gauge the demand for commercial cylinders from various sectors to regulate the supply.

There are around 55,000 commercial connections in the state, he added.

He further said that the supply of domestic liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders from Baddi, Una and Jalandhar bottling plants is continuing as before, and all 155 distributors have sufficient stocks.

“We appeal to domestic consumers not to go for panic refill booking”, the official said.

Mohammad Amid said 19 kg commercial cylinders are being supplied to hospitals and educational institutions, but the supply of 47 kg and 425 kg commercial cylinders for industry has been disrupted.

Keeping in view the demand from the tourism sector, distributors have been asked to provide 19 kg commercial cylinders from the available stock of 12,000 cylinders, he said. -- PTI

Hong Kong aviation giant Cathay Pacific announced new fuel surcharges for most routes on Thursday (March 12, 2026) that are roughly double the existing ones.

The company revealed a detailed list of affected routes in a statement titled “Fuel surcharge updates”, a day after warning that fuel prices had soared in March with the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

Cathay Group’s CEO Ronald Lam told a Wednesday media session the cost of fuel so far this month is double the average of the previous two months.

The hike in fees will apply to tickets from March 18, the statement said.

For example, for flights between Hong Kong and Europe that were purchased in Hong Kong, the surcharge will rise from HK$569 (around US$73) to HK$1164.

On Thursday (March 12), Cathay also announced additional flights to London to meet increased market demand for travel to Europe.

The day before, the carrier had said it had observed a “general increase” in flight demand from other regions, particularly for long-haul flights, with travellers looking for alternatives to routes that rely heavily on Middle Eastern hubs.

This week, Cathay axed all flights to Dubai and Riyadh in March, extending earlier suspensions.

Analysts say that while carriers all hedge a portion of their fuel costs, their margins could still be affected.

Hong Kong Airlines also raised the fuel surcharge for most of its flights from Thursday. -- AFP

Long queues and chaotic scenes were witnessed outside an LPG agency on Thursday (March 12, 2026) as consumers rushed to collect cooking gas cylinders amid rumours of a possible price hike, officials said.

A large number of people gathered at the Mahagauri Gas Agency at Mahadeva crossing in Bankati block early in the morning.

Locals claimed that several consumers began queuing up from around 4 a.m.

When the agency gate opened around 7 am, people rushed inside to collect cylinders, with many seen carrying them on their heads and shoulders, creating near-stampede-like conditions, officials said.

However, District Supply Officer Vimal Kumar Shukla said there was no shortage of LPG cylinders in the district.

Mr. Shukla said oil companies have recently increased the share of OTP-based LPG booking to 80 per cent from the earlier 30%, due to which several connections have temporarily moved out of the regular category.

Mr. Basti has about 2.07 lakh Ujjwala beneficiaries and nearly three lakh regular LPG consumers, he said.

These connections are now being reactivated through KYC verification, and staff have been deployed at gas agencies to facilitate the process, he added. -- PTI

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday (March 12, 2026) said the government will take up the issue of LPG shortage in the Cabinet meeting, while urging the Centre to immediately address supply disruptions that are affecting households and farmers.

In the wake of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict in the Middle East, the State is facing LPG refill crisis.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Shivakumar said the shortage of LPG supply was causing hardship to the public, particularly in rural areas, and insisted that the matter needed urgent attention at the highest level.

“Today there is some issue with gas supply; gas is not available. This is causing problems for everyone. I had said this yesterday as well and the day before, but the (BJP) MPs are not speaking about it,” he said.

Mr. Shivakumar said the Centre must act immediately to resolve the problem and ensure uninterrupted supply of LPG, warning that people in villages might be forced to revert to firewood if the situation persists.

“They should find a solution today itself and supply LPG. Otherwise, if gas is not available in the villages, then our farmers will have to use firewood as an alternative. They say people should not use firewood and declare things as ‘firewood-free,’ but people are compelled to make such decisions,” he said.

He also criticised the Union Government over rising fuel prices, stating that increasing costs of petrol, diesel and essential commodities were adding to people’s difficulties.

“In any case, the central government is not reducing gas prices. Petrol and diesel prices are increasing, and the prices of all commodities are rising. People are struggling. So the Centre itself must respond to this. The state government alone cannot bring about this change,” he said. -- PTI

Power generation in Karnataka could face disruption following the Central Government’s decision to prioritise natural gas supply to select sectors amid a shortage linked to the ongoing war in West Asia involving US-Israel and Iran, according to sources in the Energy Department.

LPG shortage: Power supply to Bengaluru might be hit by natural gas priority list issued by Centre

Bengaluru's power generation faces disruption due to the Centre's gas supply prioritization amid ongoing natural gas shortages.

Power generation in Karnataka could face disruption following the Central government’s decision to prioritise natural gas supply to other sectors amid shortages linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict, according to officials of the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL).

The Centre recently issued a gazette notification under the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, prioritising sectors for gas allocation as the country faces supply constraints triggered by the Israel–Iran conflict in West Asia. Under the order, domestic consumption has been given the highest priority, while power generation has been placed at the lowest level.

Officials said the decision has already affected the State’s only gas-based power plant at Yelahanka in Bengaluru. -- The Hindu Bureau

Telangana Civil Supplies Department Enforcement Wing seized 22 domestic cylinders , 25 small cylinders, and multiple gas refilling devices during searches conducted in Warangal, Hanumakonda and Karmanghat of Hyderabad on Monday. The crackdown was launched against illegal diversion and pilferage of domestic LPG cylinders. The officials urged people not to overbook LPG cylinders. People can dial the department’s toll-free number 1967 if they experience issues pertaining to LPG cylinders, illegal commercial use, or other aspects related to Civil Supplies.

Samridhi@Kochi, the budget eatery jointly run by the Kochi Corporation in Kerala and the district Kudumbashree Mission, is staring at an imminent crisis, with closure of their outlets looming large as the city grapples with a worsening shortage of LPG even as it is preparing to fall back on firewood hearths as a desperate alternative.

LPG shortage: Samridhi@Kochi feels the heat as cooking gas supply dries up in Kerala

Kochi's Samridhi eatery faces closure due to LPG shortage, threatening livelihoods and forcing a shift to firewood cooking.

Long queues of auto-rickshaws outside LPG dispensing stations and domestic consumers at local gas agency offices were seen on Thursday (March 12, 2026) in Kolkata and several districts of West Bengal, as government assurances failed to calm panic buying that has sharply pushed up demand for cooking gas amid supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict.

Auto drivers said they were waiting for hours — and in some cases since the previous night — to refill LPG at pumps, while household consumers queued up outside gas distributor offices after online booking systems failed or remained inaccessible due to heavy traffic-induced server disruptions.

Drivers also complained that auto LPG prices have risen by about ₹5 per kg in the city, but said the uncertainty over its availability posed a bigger concern.

Several drivers said they were forced to remain idle for hours or curtail trips as refuelling took longer than usual.

The rush has also overwhelmed booking systems of oil marketing companies, with distributors reporting repeated server crashes due to the surge in refill requests.

Average daily bookings for Indane LPG cylinders in the State have nearly doubled to around two lakh from about one lakh earlier, distributors said.

“This is panic buying,” said Bijan Biswas, spokesperson for the Indane LPG Distributors’ Association in Bengal. “Many people are afraid they might not get another cylinder soon, and that has led to this crisis,” he said.

Mr. Biswas said booking servers were frequently going down for four to five hours at a stretch as consumers tried to book through mobile apps, websites and call centres.

With digital booking systems becoming unreliable, a large number of consumers have started visiting distributor offices to place orders in person, resulting in long queues from early morning in many neighbourhoods. -- PTI

Several opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest on Thursday (March 12, 2026) in the Parliament House complex over the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders to demand answers from the government over it.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (March 12, 2026) attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid concerns over reported LPG shortage, saying the PM is asking the people not to panic but is himself panicked for “completely different reasons”.

Parliament Budget Session 2026: Opposition MPs protest over shortage of commercial LPG cylinders

Rahul Gandhi criticizes PM Modi for panicking over scandals while urging the public to remain calm amid LPG shortages.

Long queues of motorists were seen outside petrol stations across Tamil Nadu on Thursday (March 12, 2026) as panic buying took hold of several cities, triggered by a worsening shortage of commercial LPG that has already forced numerous eateries to shut down or drastically reduce their menus.

While oil marketing companies and State government officials have repeatedly assured the public that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel, the sight of dry outlets in the commercial gas sector has sparked widespread anxiety.

Residents in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai reported waiting for over 45 minutes to fill their vehicle tanks, with some carrying additional containers despite regulations against the practice.

At suburban Tambaram, a senior citizen who did not wish to be named, said that he returned without filling his two-wheeler fuel tank seeing long queues in the two fuel pumps operating in his locality. “It looked like a wait of a minimum half an hour, so I just left,” he said.

The hospitality sector remains the hardest hit by the ongoing fuel volatility. The Tamil Nadu Hotels Association has indicated that thousands of small and medium-sized restaurants are badly hit by the situation. Many iconic establishments in the state capital have stopped serving fuel-intensive dishes like dosa and fried rice to conserve their dwindling gas stocks, opting instead for simple steamed items.

In several neighbourhoods, restaurant owners have placed boards at their entrances announcing temporary holidays due to the non-availability of commercial cylinders. -- PTI

Assam Police on Thursday (March 12, 2026) said strict action will be taken against all those spreading rumours regarding shortages of LPG and other fuels, a day after the 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 said: “Strict legal action will be taken against anyone trying to spread rumours about shortages of LPG, POL and other petroleum products.” Citizens are advised not to believe or forward any such misleading claims that may be spread by “inimical elements” to try and create confusion, it added.

The government has already formed a dedicated media monitoring committee to track rumours, misinformation and misleading reports that may create panic among consumers. -- PTI

The events unfolding in West Asia have shone a spotlight not only on India’s energy security, but also on its policy preparedness and communication strategy in times of crisis. With India importing close to 90% of its oil needs, it is natural that any disruption to supply chains would hit it hard. The Strait of Hormuz is particularly vital in the supply chain. To the government’s credit, it has been gradually trying to reduce India’s oil import dependence. The push for ethanol and biofuels is a step in this direction. Smoothening their adoption should continue to be a policy priority in the near term.

As hotels, hostels, and community kitchens grapple with the unexpected shortage of LPG, those with electric cooking equipment feel they are in a safer position.

Achal Sridharan, founder of CovaiCare retirement communities in Coimbatore, says if the situation turns worse, there will be no option but to go for electrical cooking. “It is a question of survival and not viability. Yes, the costs will be slightly higher. But we need to manage that,” he said.

What is cheaper to cook with, LPG or induction?

Explore the cost comparison between cooking with LPG and induction stoves amid rising LPG shortages and efficiency concerns.

The U.K. maritime agency said Thursday (March 12, 2026) that a projectile struck a container ship near the United Arab Emirates.

“The container ship was struck by (an) unknown projectile causing a small fire onboard,” the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said in a statement, adding the ship’s crew had been reported as safe. -- AFP

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi on Thursday (March 12, 2026) said that efforts are underway to bring the LPG crisis under control and that avenues are opening for India to secure additional supply.

Speaking to reporters in Thrissur, he said Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had answered questions regarding the LPG crisis in Parliament on Wednesday (March 11, 2026).

He said due to diplomatic sensitivities, some matters related to supply through the Hormuz Strait cannot be revealed. -- PTI

LPG shortage: Attempts on to control crisis, says Union Minister Suresh Gopi

Union Minister Suresh Gopi announces efforts to control the LPG crisis amid diplomatic sensitivities affecting supply through the Hormuz Strait.

The lawyers’ canteen at the Delhi High Court on Wednesday suspended preparation of main course meals due to unavailability of LPG gas cylinders.

In a notice, the canteen management said they were unable to cook regular meals as the gas supply had run out and there was no clarity on when fresh cylinders would be available.

“Due to the unavailability of the LPG gas cylinders at present, we regret that we are unable to prepare and serve the main course items in the lawyers’ canteen,” the notice stated, adding that normal cooking operations would resume once the supply is restored.

The canteen, however, clarified that it would continue to serve alternative food items such as sandwiches, salads, fruit chaats and other light refreshments. -- The Hindu Bureau

E-commerce platforms have seen mounting demand for induction cooktops amid the West Asia crisis, which has led to public anxiety about disruptions to LPG supplies. While prices for cooktops have gone up, supplies remained available on e-commerce platforms in many cities, at least as of Wednesday (March 11, 2026).

While a small minority of Indian households use induction cooktops, only 5% of households had “electric penetration” in their kitchens, Milind Deore, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s Secretary said in a discussion held back in 2024.

Uptake of induction stoves sluggish in low-income Indian households

Induction stove adoption in low-income Indian households remains low due to limited electrical infrastructure and high costs despite rising demand.

Bangladesh has bought three liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes on the spot market at higher prices, as it scrambles to steady ‌supplies amid disruptions from the escalating Iran–Israel conflict, energy officials said.

State-run Petrobangla has increasingly ⁠turned to the volatile spot market to bridge the supply gap, said energy officials in the South Asian nation, after ‌some suppliers were forced to halt shipments.

“If the disruption drags on, we’ll have to ‌lean more on costly spot LNG, which will ‌add ⁠to our import burden and tighten supplies ⁠for power and industry,” an energy ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The nation of 175 million relies on imports for roughly 95% of ‌its energy needs. It has imposed fuel rationing for vehicles, curbed diesel sales and shut universities as the Iran war disrupts Middle East oil exports.

TotalEnergies ‌will supply one cargo priced at $21.58 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) for delivery on April 5 to 6, while two from Posco ⁠International Corp priced at $20.76 per mmBtu each are set for delivery on April 9 to 10 and ‌April 12 to 13.

The purchases come after QatarEnergy suspended LNG deliveries to Bangladesh under a long-term contract, citing such disruptions. -- Reuters

Oil prices surged more than 9% on Thursday (March 12, 2026) to break back above $100 a barrel after fresh Iranian strikes on supplies and infrastructure in the West Asia overshadowed a record release of stockpiles by the International Energy Agency.

Brent crude jumped 9.3% to $100.50, while West Texas Intermediate was up 8.8% at $94.92 at around 0305 GMT. -- AFP

With LPG shortage hitting day-to-day life in India, data suggest while the nation opted for a dramatic surge in LPG use, especially among poor households, driven by imports there was no plan to boost long-term, strategic LPG reserves in parallel.

With more than 85% of all of India’s imports having to cross Strait of Hormuz to reach the nation’s shores and limited back-up storage, the disruption has hit quickly unlike in the case of auto fuel where strategic reserves of crude oil and products are equal to two months of consumption.

Why is India staring at LPG shortage?

With LPG shortage hitting day-to-day life in India, data suggest while the nation opted for a dramatic surge in LPG use, especially among poor households, driven by imports there was a no plan to boost long-term, strategic LPG reserves in parallel.

The fuel crisis and supply chain disruptions coupled with increase in packaging and raw material costs over the past week due to the raging conflict in West Asia have hit the industry in Haryana across all sectors.

A large number of textile, food processing, pharmaceutical and agricultural implements units in Panipat, Sonipat, and Karnal rely on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to run industrial boilers for dyeing, heating, and sterilisation. Most of these units are on the verge of shutting down operations, Manoj Arora, secretary, Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI), told The Hindu.

“The cost of commercial LPG cylinders rose by around 20% over the past few days. It is not available since yesterday [Tuesday],” Mr. Arora said.

Fuel crisis, supply chain disruption, rise in cost of raw material amid West Asia conflict hit Haryana industry

Haryana's industries face shutdowns due to fuel crisis, supply chain disruptions, and rising raw material costs amid West Asia conflict.

Indian government bonds are set to decline on Thursday (March 12, 2026), tracking a spike in crude oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields, while the benchmark bond ‌could see some selling pressure after the central bank did not include the note in its debt ⁠purchase programme.

The benchmark 6.48% 2035 bond yield will likely hover between 6.63% and 6.69%, a private bank trader said. The yield had ‌ended at 6.6366% on Wednesday (March 11, 2026). Bond yields move inversely to prices.

Directionally, bonds should head down, as ‌all indicators favour the bears. Having said that, the ‌central ⁠bank is expected to make its presence felt ⁠in the secondary market, like the last hour of the session yesterday,” the trader said.

An investor category that consists of the Reserve Bank of India, along with other ‌long-term investors, net bought bonds worth ₹53 billion on Wednesday (March 11, 2026), data showed.

Traders estimate a bulk of these purchases would be from the RBI in the benchmark ‌paper, which aided a swift decline in yields.

Oil prices jumped again after staying steady for the last couple of sessions, with the benchmark Brent ⁠Crude contract nearing $100 per barrel after Iraqi security officials said Iranian explosive-laden boats had hit two fuel oil tankers amid other global ‌supply disruptions from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. -- Reuters

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. 

State Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan held a review meeting in the state’s summer capital, Gairsain, with officials from all districts and State-level coordinators from oil and gas companies joining the meeting via videoconference.

According to a government release, the meeting decided to prioritise the supply of commercial gas cylinders to hospitals and educational institutions.

It was decided in the meeting that for the time being, the supply of cylinders to hotels, dhabas, and other commercial establishments would be limited to avoid any disruption to essential services.

The chief secretary clarified that there is adequate availability of domestic gas cylinders in the state and there is no shortage of any kind.

Mr. Bardhan directed to strictly curb the black marketing and illegal storage of gas cylinders and conduct regular raids in the districts. He also told them to form quick response teams (QRTs) headed by sub-district magistrates at the tehsil level. -- PTI

President Donald Trump says his administration will tap the United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve to try and reduce gasoline prices that have risen due to the Iran war.

During an interview Wednesday (March 11, 2026) with WKRC Local 12 in Cincinnati, Trump was asked about tapping the reserve and said, “Well, we’ll do that and then we’ll fill it up.” He added, “Right now we’ll reduce it a little bit, and that brings the prices down.” He didn’t specify how many barrels of oil the U.S. would release.

Trump frequently criticised the administration of Joe Biden for tapping the reserve to try and bring down gas prices. -- AP

Amid the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, concerns are growing in Andhra Pradesh over the availability of LPG cylinders.

According to official sources, the State currently has about 1.7 crore domestic LPG connections. The connections are almost evenly distributed among the major downstream oil marketing companies. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. each account for about 30% to 34% of the market share.

Gulf tensions trigger LPG supply concerns in Andhra Pradesh

Authorities in Andhra Pradesh assure uninterrupted LPG supply amid Gulf tensions, easing consumer concerns while addressing commercial sector restrictions.

Oil prices climbed on Thursday after Iraqi security officials said Iranian explosive-laden boats had hit two fuel oil tankers ‌amid other global supply disruptions from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Brent futures rose $5.69, or 6.19%, ⁠to $97.67 a barrel at 0118 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up $5.11, or 5.86%, to $92.36.

Two foreign tankers carrying Iraqi fuel ‌oil were hit by unidentified attackers in Iraq’s territorial waters, causing them to catch fire, the ‌director general of the General Company for Ports, ‌Farhan ⁠al-Fartousi, told Reuters on Wednesday.-- Reuters

Brent crude oil tops $100 a barrel as Iran attacks on shipping worsen supply concerns

Oil prices surge as Iranian attacks on tankers in Iraqi waters escalate tensions amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

New Zealand’s national airline said Thursday (March 12, 2026) it would cancel 1,100 flights over the next two months, pointing to the impact of the war in the Middle East.

Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said around five percent of its flights will be cancelled, affecting 44,000 passengers.

The cancelled flights are mostly on domestic routes within New Zealand but will also include some international flights, he said.

Flights between New Zealand and the United States would not be impacted due to increased demand for alternative routes to Europe, Ravishankar added.

“With the unprecedented volatility in jet fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East, airlines around the world are adjusting fares and their schedules to help manage the impact of these significantly increased costs,” Mr. Ravishankar said.

Ravishankar said jet fuel typically cost about US$85 a barrel, but prices were now double that.

Cancellations would help keep flying as affordable as possible and ensure the company was efficient with fuel, he said. -- AFP