Govt Steps In After Restaurants Flag Commercial LPG Shortage

India's restaurant kitchens may soon feel the heat - not from the stoves, but from a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders.

After restaurant and hotel associations raised alarms about irregular gas supplies, the central government has stepped in by forming a panel of senior oil company executives to examine the situation and recommend solutions.

The move comes as global fuel supply chains face disruptions due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. To prevent households from running out of cooking gas, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has shifted its focus toward ensuring steady domestic LPG supplies.

Officials say oil refineries have been asked to ramp up LPG production and channel additional output toward household cooking gas. The goal is simple: keep home kitchens running smoothly even as global supply pressures mount.

But this priority shift has created a squeeze elsewhere - especially in restaurant kitchens that rely on commercial LPG cylinders for daily operations.

To manage the situation, the government has introduced a 25-day gap between bookings for domestic LPG cylinders. Imported LPG meant for commercial use is also being redirected to essential services such as hospitals and educational institutions.

For restaurants and hotels, however, the shortage is becoming a growing concern.

The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India recently wrote to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, warning that disruptions in commercial cylinder supply could affect eateries across the country.

According to FHRAI Secretary General Jaison Chacko, several distributors have stopped supplying commercial cylinders, citing a government order issued on March 5. The association has urged the government to clarify that restaurants and food service businesses are not facing any official supply restrictions.

The National Restaurant Association of India echoed similar concerns, saying suppliers are unable to meet demand even though authorities have indicated there is no formal ban on supplying commercial LPG to the industry.

In Bengaluru, the Bangalore Hotels Association has already sounded a warning bell. The group says that if the supply of commercial gas cylinders does not resume soon, hotels and restaurants may struggle to keep their kitchens open.

And if restaurant stoves go cold, the ripple effects could reach far beyond the hospitality industry - affecting students, office workers, travellers and many others who depend on restaurants for their daily meals.

For now, all eyes are on the government panel, which will review the industry's concerns and decide how to balance LPG supplies between homes and commercial kitchens.