-cylinders-for-domestic-use-at-a-gas-agency-office.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&crop=3%3A2&ssl=1 "India rations cooking gas as Strait of Hormuz tensions choke supplies")
Restaurant and hospitality associations across India have warned that disruption to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies due to the US-Israeli war against Iran could lead to widespread closures of businesses.
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) warned that the industry was heavily dependent on commercial LPG cylinders for daily operations.
LPG, produced during crude oil refining and natural gas processing, is India’s main cooking fuel. It’s widely supplied in cylinders, making it easy to transport, including to areas without pipeline access.
“The restaurant industry is predominantly dependent on commercial LPG for its operations,” the NRAI said in a statement shared with The Independent.
“Any disruption therein will lead to a catastrophic closure of the majority of restaurants.”
The warning comes as India moves to tighten fuel availability due to the escalating war in the Middle East. The war has halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil and gas supplies, raising concerns about energy shipments to Asia.
India relies heavily on imported LPG, much of which normally travels through the strategic waterway linking the Gulf to global markets.
The Indian government has ordered refineries to increase LPG output and prioritise household supplies after disruptions linked to the conflict caused shortages for restaurants and businesses.
“In light of current geopolitical disruptions to fuel supply and constraints on supply of LPG, the ministry has issued orders to oil refineries for higher LPG production and using such extra production for domestic LPG use,” the petroleum ministry said on X.
“Non-domestic supplies from imported LPG are being prioritised to essential non-domestic sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.”
Authorities have extended the interval between domestic LPG cylinder bookings from 21 to 25 days and directed oil marketing companies to prioritise household connections over commercial users.
A three-member committee comprising executive directors of state oil marketing companies has been formed to review requests for LPG supply from restaurants, hotels and other non-domestic sectors.
Officials said these steps were aiming to prevent hoarding and stabilise supply.
India, one of the world’s largest LPG consumers, uses about 31.3 million tonnes of LPG each year and imports roughly 62 per cent of that demand, according to The Hindu.
