LPG Shortage Disrupts Indian Restaurants Over Middle East Conflicts

A sudden shortage of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, triggered by escalating conflicts in the Middle East, has disrupted operations at restaurants and hotels across several major Indian cities, with warnings of widespread closures if supplies do not resume soon.

The crisis, linked to disruptions in global energy routes including the Strait of Hormuz, has forced authorities to prioritize household LPG supplies over commercial needs. As a result, eateries in cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chennai, and parts of Punjab and Maharashtra are facing reduced deliveries, leading some to curtail menus, shorten operating hours, or shut down temporarily. In Mumbai, the financial hub, the All India Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) reported that around 20 percent of its member establishments have already closed due to the shortage, with projections that up to 50 percent could follow within the next two days if the situation persists.

AHAR President Vijay Shetty stated that "as of today, 10-20 of our members are facing problems. By tomorrow it will be 60. By the day after tomorrow, it will be 100," highlighting the rapid escalation. The...