Centre Alerts States to Monitor LPG Supply Amid War Fears
MHA sets up 24×7 control room as rumours over cylinder shortage trigger panic buying
- Centre asks states and UTs to monitor LPG supply daily and curb rumours
- MHA sets up round-the-clock control room with multiple ministries
- Restrictions on commercial LPG spark panic buying and online rush for induction cooktops
- India imports nearly 62% of LPG, much of it via the Strait of Hormuz
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th March: The Centre has advised all states and Union territories to closely monitor LPG supplies on a daily basis, take strict action against violators and curb rumours amid growing speculation that the ongoing conflict in West Asia could disrupt the availability of cooking gas cylinders.
Authorities have also been asked to ensure law and order and prevent panic buying, following reports of concerns among consumers that LPG supplies could be affected due to disruptions in global shipping routes.
To coordinate the response, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has set up a 24×7 control room, with nodal officers from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas deployed to track the situation.
The alert comes after restrictions were placed on the distribution of LPG cylinders to commercial establishments, including hotels and restaurants, which triggered fears that household supplies might also face limitations.
Amid the uncertainty, induction cooktops quickly went out of stock on several online platforms, as consumers rushed to secure alternative cooking options.
India consumes around 31.3 million tonnes of LPG annually, with 87 percent used in household kitchens and the remaining share consumed by commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants.
Of the country’s total LPG requirement, nearly 62 percent is met through imports.
The current concerns stem from escalating tensions in the Middle East after US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, which have effectively disrupted cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway is a critical energy corridor through which 85–90 percent of India’s LPG imports from West Asian countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are transported.
Officials said the government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that domestic LPG supply remains stable and that rumours do not create unnecessary panic among consumers.
