Are Bihar Migrant Workers Returning Back Due To LPG Crisis? Here Why

A growing LPG crisis in Delhi is forcing many low-income migrant workers to leave the city.

Rising fuel prices and limited access to LPG cylinders have made it difficult for daily wage earners to manage basic needs like cooking food. Many migrants, especially from Bihar, are now returning to their hometowns in search of a more affordable life.

Rising Costs Make Survival Difficult

For thousands of migrant workers in Delhi, daily earnings range between ₹200 and ₹600. With such limited income, the increasing cost of LPG cylinders has become unaffordable.

Even subsidised cylinders are out of reach for many. On top of that, black market prices for smaller cylinders have gone up sharply, sometimes costing several times more than regular rates.

As a result, many families are struggling to cook meals regularly.

Scenes at Railway Stations Reflect the Crisis

At Old Delhi Railway Station, a steady stream of families can be seen leaving the city with their belongings.

While some say they are returning for personal reasons, the real issue is financial pressure. Similarly, at Patna Junction, trains arriving from Delhi are bringing back migrant workers who can no longer afford city life.

This reverse migration highlights the seriousness of the situation.

Access, Not Just Supply, Is the Real Problem

Authorities maintain that there is no shortage of LPG supply. However, migrants say the issue is not availability but access.

Many face:

• Delays in cylinder refills
• Lack of official LPG connections
• Dependence on informal or unregulated vendors

Because migrants frequently change homes, they often cannot get authorised connections, making them dependent on costly alternatives.

Why Villages Feel More Affordable

For many workers, returning to villages offers a basic but reliable alternative.

In rural areas, people can still cook using:

• Firewood
• Traditional chulhas

Even though incomes may be lower, the ability to cook without expensive fuel makes life more manageable compared to cities.

Impact on Students and Small Businesses

The crisis is not limited to labourers. Students preparing for exams in Delhi are also feeling the pressure, as food and mess charges rise due to increased LPG costs.
Small businesses are equally affected:

• Street vendors are shutting down
• Small eateries are raising prices
• Daily food costs are increasing

This shows how the LPG crisis is affecting the wider urban economy.

India's LPG Supply and Global Situation

The situation is linked to global energy disruptions, especially due to tensions in West Asia.

Recently, an Indian LPG tanker named Green Asha successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy transport. It is among several Indian vessels navigating the region despite tight control and rising tensions.

While supplies continue, global challenges are contributing to higher costs.