🔗 Share this article ‘The Situation is Dire’: Conflict on Iran Constricts India's Cooking-Gas Supplies. People queue up to buy LPG tanks for household consumption in Chennai. The repercussions of a conflict being fought nearly 3,000km away are now impacting India's kitchens. As military actions on Iran impede energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, supplies of kitchen fuel are tightening across India, compelling restaurants to cut menus, close earlier and in some cases close completely. Social media is awash with video clips showing crowds outside cooking-gas dealers across Indian metros and localities as concerns over fuel supplies spread. Restaurant kitchens appear the most affected: the sharpest squeeze is in restaurant kitchens. "The state of affairs is alarming. LPG simply cannot be found," says a representative of the National Restaurant Association of India. Most restaurants run either on commercial LPG cylinders or pipeline-supplied fuel, and the scarcities are now being noticed across the country. "Many restaurants have ceased operations - some in the capital, many in the southern states. People are adopting solid fuels and electronic appliances to keep kitchens going." Regional Impact In Mumbai, media reports say up to a 20% of eateries are already completely or partially closed as commercial LPG supplies dwindle. In the southern cities of tech and coastal hubs, some eateries say their cylinder inventory have depleted with minimal reserves. "Coffee is the sole item we can prepare and no other dishes - it is extremely difficult. Commerce will take a hit," says a business operator in Bengaluru. A food joint in Chennai which has ceased operations due to a lack of LPG. Restaurant owners are rushing to adjust. "Food options are being cut, some are skipping midday meals and reducing hours," an industry representative says, adding that shutdowns are varying as supplies come and go. "A number of eateries in Delhi were shut yesterday - some have resumed operations. It's a changing landscape." Retailers note a increase in sales of induction stoves, with some saying they are facing stockouts. Authority's View Yet, the officials states there is sufficient stock. India has more than a vast number of household consumers and spokespersons say stocks are being prioritized to households as conflict-related stress from the Middle East conflict impact energy markets. About 60% of India's LPG is brought in from overseas, and about the vast majority of those shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital passage now significantly disrupted by the hostilities. The oil ministry says that it instructed refineries to increase LPG output for home needs, raising domestic production by about a significant margin. Commercial stock is being prioritised for essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions, while distribution will be "just and open". "Some panic booking and stockpiling has been caused by misinformation. The standard supply timeline for home fuel remains about 60 hours," says a ministry representative. Growing Panic Now the concern is extending beyond kitchens. On social media, a widely shared video from Chennai shows a extended procession of motorbikes outside a gas outlet. "Anxiety is palpable," the caption reads. India brings in up to most of the oil it consumes, leaving it significantly susceptible to disruptions in international markets. According to data from market experts, concerns about India's broader energy security may be premature. India imports almost all of its petroleum. Around half of its oil purchases - about 2.5-2.7 million barrels a day - travel through the strait, largely from Gulf countries. Even if oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are hindered, the deficit could be partly compensated for by higher imports of competitively priced oil from Russia, according to a sector expert. Based on shipping data and expert analysis, incremental Russian crude imports could reach around a significant volume of barrels a day, narrowing India's effective shortfall from exposure to the Strait of Hormuz to about a substantial volume of barrels a day. "Tens of millions of Russian oil barrels are currently on the water in the Indian Ocean and, with only two major Asian economies as major buyers, those barrels remain a available backup," an analyst noted. Cooking Gas: The Critical Weakness The key weakness is kitchen fuel, analysts say. India consumes roughly one million barrels a day, but produces only 40-45% domestically, importing the rest - most of it through Hormuz. Refineries can tweak operations to produce a bit more LPG, but even a limited rise would only raise domestic supply to about 47-50% of demand, leaving the country largely dependent on imports. In short: "Crude supply risk can be partially mitigated through varied suppliers. Processed petroleum stocks remains relatively comfortable. LPG availability is the real variable to watch in the coming weeks." What may be heightening the concern on the ground is not just tight supply but patchy deliveries - and the common threat of stockpiling. An industry representative claims price gouging. "Retailers are exploiting the situation - illegally trading canisters and selling them at a premium. In one small town, I heard of cylinders being accumulated and sold at a premium." For now, India's oil supplies may be cushioned by international market dynamics. But in restaurants across the country, the more pressing concern is simple: how to get the next gas canister.
People queue up to buy LPG tanks for household consumption in Chennai. The repercussions of a conflict being fought nearly 3,000km away are now impacting India's kitchens. As military actions on Iran impede energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, supplies of kitchen fuel are tightening across India, compelling restaurants to cut menus, close earlier and in some cases close completely. Social media is awash with video clips showing crowds outside cooking-gas dealers across Indian metros and localities as concerns over fuel supplies spread. Restaurant kitchens appear the most affected: the sharpest squeeze is in restaurant kitchens. "The state of affairs is alarming. LPG simply cannot be found," says a representative of the National Restaurant Association of India. Most restaurants run either on commercial LPG cylinders or pipeline-supplied fuel, and the scarcities are now being noticed across the country. "Many restaurants have ceased operations - some in the capital, many in the southern states. People are adopting solid fuels and electronic appliances to keep kitchens going." Regional Impact In Mumbai, media reports say up to a 20% of eateries are already completely or partially closed as commercial LPG supplies dwindle. In the southern cities of tech and coastal hubs, some eateries say their cylinder inventory have depleted with minimal reserves. "Coffee is the sole item we can prepare and no other dishes - it is extremely difficult. Commerce will take a hit," says a business operator in Bengaluru. A food joint in Chennai which has ceased operations due to a lack of LPG. Restaurant owners are rushing to adjust. "Food options are being cut, some are skipping midday meals and reducing hours," an industry representative says, adding that shutdowns are varying as supplies come and go. "A number of eateries in Delhi were shut yesterday - some have resumed operations. It's a changing landscape." Retailers note a increase in sales of induction stoves, with some saying they are facing stockouts. Authority's View Yet, the officials states there is sufficient stock. India has more than a vast number of household consumers and spokespersons say stocks are being prioritized to households as conflict-related stress from the Middle East conflict impact energy markets. About 60% of India's LPG is brought in from overseas, and about the vast majority of those shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital passage now significantly disrupted by the hostilities. The oil ministry says that it instructed refineries to increase LPG output for home needs, raising domestic production by about a significant margin. Commercial stock is being prioritised for essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions, while distribution will be "just and open". "Some panic booking and stockpiling has been caused by misinformation. The standard supply timeline for home fuel remains about 60 hours," says a ministry representative. Growing Panic Now the concern is extending beyond kitchens. On social media, a widely shared video from Chennai shows a extended procession of motorbikes outside a gas outlet. "Anxiety is palpable," the caption reads. India brings in up to most of the oil it consumes, leaving it significantly susceptible to disruptions in international markets. According to data from market experts, concerns about India's broader energy security may be premature. India imports almost all of its petroleum. Around half of its oil purchases - about 2.5-2.7 million barrels a day - travel through the strait, largely from Gulf countries. Even if oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are hindered, the deficit could be partly compensated for by higher imports of competitively priced oil from Russia, according to a sector expert. Based on shipping data and expert analysis, incremental Russian crude imports could reach around a significant volume of barrels a day, narrowing India's effective shortfall from exposure to the Strait of Hormuz to about a substantial volume of barrels a day. "Tens of millions of Russian oil barrels are currently on the water in the Indian Ocean and, with only two major Asian economies as major buyers, those barrels remain a available backup," an analyst noted. Cooking Gas: The Critical Weakness The key weakness is kitchen fuel, analysts say. India consumes roughly one million barrels a day, but produces only 40-45% domestically, importing the rest - most of it through Hormuz. Refineries can tweak operations to produce a bit more LPG, but even a limited rise would only raise domestic supply to about 47-50% of demand, leaving the country largely dependent on imports. In short: "Crude supply risk can be partially mitigated through varied suppliers. Processed petroleum stocks remains relatively comfortable. LPG availability is the real variable to watch in the coming weeks." What may be heightening the concern on the ground is not just tight supply but patchy deliveries - and the common threat of stockpiling. An industry representative claims price gouging. "Retailers are exploiting the situation - illegally trading canisters and selling them at a premium. In one small town, I heard of cylinders being accumulated and sold at a premium." For now, India's oil supplies may be cushioned by international market dynamics. But in restaurants across the country, the more pressing concern is simple: how to get the next gas canister.