Middle East conflict sparks LPG crisis: Bookings stall, electric appliances fly off shelves

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Due to the ongoing war in the Middle East region and disruption in gas supply, problems regarding the availability of LPG gas as well as petrol and diesel have started increasing in the country. Its effect is visible in many cities. Gas cylinder booking is not possible in Delhi, while people in Mumbai are also facing difficulties in getting cylinders. After the increase in the price of LPG cylinders in Mumbai and disruption in supply, people are increasingly turning to electric appliances for cooking. The demand for kitchen appliances like electric cooker, microwave oven, OTG oven, toaster, grill, electric tawa, air fryer, multi cooker, electric steamer and hot plate has increased rapidly in the market.

In fact, on March 7th, the central government increased the prices of domestic and commercial gas cylinders. Subsequently, the supply of commercial gas cylinders also began to be affected. This has affected ordinary consumers, and in many places, people are facing significant difficulties in booking cylinders. In addition to Maharashtra, long queues are also being seen outside gas agencies in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Gas booking also stalled in Delhi

The problem of people has increased due to non-availability of LPG cylinders in many areas of the capital Delhi and NCR. Consumers are neither able to book gas nor are they getting the cylinders on time. The toll-free numbers issued for gas booking are also not working properly. For example, many times calls on the number 7718955555 are not getting connected, sometimes it shows switched off and sometimes a message of “not in use” is received. In such a situation, consumers have to stand in long queues outside the gas agencies.

People in Mumbai are looking for alternatives

In many places in Mumbai, customers are not getting LPG cylinders on time. In such a situation, people are becoming cautious and are adopting alternative means for cooking. The demand for electric kitchen appliances is continuously increasing. Traders say that if the situation does not improve in the next one week, then the possibility of fuel crisis in the country may increase. Due to the ongoing tension at the international level, there is uncertainty regarding fuel supply, due to which the demand for electric kitchen appliances may increase further in the coming days.

Hotels and restaurants also affected:

LPG distributors and gas agencies in Mumbai are currently giving priority to domestic consumers. Since March 6, there has been a massive cut in the LPG supply to hotels and restaurants, which has reduced by about 80 percent. The impact of LPG shortage is also visible on the old and famous hotels of Mumbai. The approximately 178-year-old Pancham Puriwala Hotel, located in the Fort area near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, is also facing this crisis.

Opened in 1848 during the British era, this historic hotel typically serves 79 dishes, with five specialties, Puri. However, due to a shortage of LPG, the hotel currently offers only two items—Puri Bhaji and Aamras Puri. According to the hotel management, due to limited LPG supplies, they are forced to borrow cylinders from acquaintances.

MGL said – Gas availability is normal

However, Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) has said that at present there is no shortage in the availability of gas. The company is maintaining normal supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) in its operational areas. The company also said that if LNG imports are affected due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, then gas supply to industrial and commercial customers may be reduced to some extent. Meanwhile, crowds have started increasing at petrol pumps in many cities. In many places including Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, people are having to wait for a long time to fill petrol.