LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Andhra Pradesh food minister assures citizens of adequate LPG stocks amid surge in bookings

India does not expect the ongoing Middle East conflict to significantly impact its ability to meet peak summer power demand, as the government plans to rely on coal, renewable energy and battery storage to cushion any disruption in gas supplies. Speaking on the sidelines of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal said the country’s power system remains largely insulated since gas accounts for only a small share of India’s energy mix.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live: Government hikes commercial LPG allocation to 50 pc as domestic output improves

The government has approved an additional 20% allocation of commercial LPG to states and Union territories, raising the total supply to 50%, as improving domestic production begins to ease the situation.

The three-week-long conflict in the Middle East had disrupted energy supplies to India, forcing an initial cut in LPG availability for commercial users such as hotels, as authorities prioritised household consumption.

Supplies were later partially restored, with about 20% resumed for commercial use. The government had also offered an additional 10% allocation, contingent on states accelerating the rollout of piped natural gas infrastructure.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live: Domestic LPG top priority, anyone caught hoarding, black marketing will face action, says Patiala admin

The Patiala district administration reiterated that ensuring uninterrupted domestic LPG supply remains a top priority, warning of strict action against black marketing, hoarding and illegal diversion.

Deputy commissioner Varjeet Walia, chairing a review meeting with officials and gas agency representatives, directed that cylinders be distributed strictly on a “first booked, first delivered” basis. He emphasised that any irregularities in distribution would not be tolerated and ordered regular audits of agency records to maintain transparency.

Walia also urged institutions and bulk consumers to shift to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) wherever feasible to reduce reliance on LPG cylinders and improve efficiency. At the same time, he appealed to residents to avoid panic booking, assuring that domestic supply remains adequate in line with directions from chief minister Bhagwant Mann.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live: Food prices set to increase as hotels shift to firewood, others

An LPG shortage has pushed much of Tamil Nadu’s hotel industry back to firewood, a shift that is now threatening to drive up food prices. Among the biggest casualties this festive season is biryani, whose rising cost has taken some of the sheen off Ramzan celebrations. Members of the Muslim community say family gatherings have grown smaller this year, as higher cooking costs — linked to the West Asia conflict — ripple through everyday meals. Even staple festive dishes are becoming harder to afford.

Tamil Nadu Hotels Association president M Venkadasubbu said many establishments have resorted to firewood not just for cooking biryani, but even for preparing its accompaniments, underscoring the depth of the fuel crunch, PTI reported.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live: About 1.9L LPG consumers wait for refills amid supply concerns

A waiting list of 1,89,006 consumers reflects the scale of the cooking gas crisis in Patna district, as the conflict in West Asia continues to disrupt the local energy supply chain, even as the administration maintains there is no shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). These are consumers who have booked cylinders but are yet to receive delivery.

According to data from the district administration, 47,168 cylinders are supplied daily by oil companies, while bookings on Thursday alone stood at 35,848. The spike has largely been attributed to households booking refills in advance over fears of a possible supply breakdown.

Across 136 gas agencies serving 16,65,360 consumers, the average daily sale of 39,259 cylinders remains uneven and insufficient to immediately clear the large backlog of pending deliveries.

“It will take almost a week to 10 days for the situation to stabilise and for the backlog to reduce,” additional district magistrate (supply) Ravindra Kumar Diwakar said.

He added that supply is currently higher than demand, with around 5,000 consumers being removed from the waiting list ?????????. He explained that as regular distribution continues, demand will eventually reach a saturation point, helping stabilise the situation. Once demand eases while supply remains steady, the backlog is expected to decline.

Officials said the strategy hinges on breaking the cycle of panic booking. They expect that once the 1.6 million consumers receive their immediate refills, the steady supply of over 47,000 cylinders a day will begin to outpace bookings, gradually easing the pressure on the system.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live: Black market thrives amid last-minute rush for LPG refills for Eid

With Eid falling on Saturday, residents of Lucknow were seen making last-minute efforts on Friday to procure LPG refills, as delays in supply have created opportunities for black-marketing of domestic cylinders.

According to residents from several localities, a domestic LPG refill cylinder, which normally costs around Rs 900–1,000, is being sold illegally for Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,500.

A resident in Dubagga said, "The festival is in the next two days and we have no other choice but to take an LPG refill from the black market as the consumption of fuel increased in the preparation of Eid dishes."

Another resident of Daliganj, Syed Shahid Ali, said, "My LPG cylinder is near to finishing, which I booked 20 days ago. Now for Eid, I have purchased a refill for Rs2,000 in case it needs to be changed."

Consumers are also complaining about not receiving the proper quantity of gas in LPG refills, while several videos circulating on social media highlight mismatches in cylinder weight.

Ved Prakash Gupta, a consumer at Sitapur Road, said, "Normally we weigh the cylinder, which comes to 29-30 kg, but this time when we weighed the refill, it was 27 kg. On complaining to the delivery person, he said he delivered what he received."

Waiting periods of 3–5 days for refills have further added to consumer frustration. Ashish Jaiswal of Aliganj said, "I booked a cylinder on Mar 12 and still it has not been delivered. I am regularly contacting the gas agency; my cylinder is still to be delivered."

Officials from civil supplies, Jyoti Gautam, said, "We are continuously conducting drives for the illegal supply of LPG cylinders since the crisis began. We will take action against culprits found in future."

Officials from LPG distribution agencies said supply disruptions and increased seasonal demand have put pressure on the distribution system, though efforts are being made to normalize deliveries.

Residents have demanded stricter monitoring against hoarding and black-marketing, urging authorities to ensure timely supply and take action against those exploiting the shortage for profit.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live: 128 cylinders seized in Agra raid to curb black marketing

Amid the ongoing LPG crisis, the district administration has stepped up its action against LPG-related irregularities, with a major raid in Agra district resulting in the seizure of 128 domestic gas cylinders on Friday.

Agra DM Aravind Mallappa Bangari has directed strict enforcement measures to prevent black marketing and ensure transparent distribution.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team from the supply department raided a house near Tatpur bus stand in Jagner on Friday afternoon, uncovering an illegal storage and refilling operation. The action was carried out by district supply officer Anand Kumar Singh.

Kumar said, “121 empty and three filled Indane cylinders, along with three empty BPCL cylinders and one empty HP cylinder, were recovered from the premises. Two filled 5-kg commercial cylinders were also seized.”

The property owner, identified as Ashok Singhal, was not present during the raid, but legal proceedings have been initiated against him under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and relevant provisions of the LPG Control Order, 2000.

The raid comes a day after incidents of alleged black marketing and disorder at LPG agencies surfaced.

DM Bangari also chaired a meeting with LPG distributors at the collectorate, issuing instructions to prohibit the delivery of cylinders without online booking and a valid DAC (delivery authentication code). He warned of strict action against overcharging and illegal practices, adding that surprise inspections are being carried out.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live: Itanagar administration launches LPG helpline to curb hoarding

The Itanagar Capital Region administration has launched a helpline to curb hoarding, black marketing and price manipulation of LPG cylinders amid panic buying triggered by global supply chain disruptions, an official said on Friday.

Capital Region Deputy Commissioner Toko Babu said residents can report such irregularities through the helpline number 9862024299 or by emailing complaints to icrdfcso@gmail.com.

The identity of complainants will be kept strictly confidential, he said, according to news agency PTI.

Earlier, on March 18, the administration had issued a notice to monitor the supply of LPG and petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) following reports that some consumers were booking excess cylinders, raising concerns over possible artificial scarcity in the capital region.

The administration has warned of strict action against those found involved in hoarding or black marketing of LPG cylinders.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live: Man takes day off work, stands in 9-hour queue for LPG cylinder in UP's Barabanki

A man working as a gardener in Shahjahanpur district took a day off to stand in a long queue in hopes of getting an LPG cylinder for his ailing parents, waiting nearly nine hours outside a distribution agency.


Arun Kumar, a resident of Tindola Barethi village in Banki block, said he reached a local gas agency around 3 am on Wednesday after walking nearly 8 km from his home and stood in line for hours to obtain an LPG cylinder.


His mother recently suffered a brain haemorrhage, while his father is battling cancer. With both parents bedridden, Arun said he urgently needed a cylinder to prepare their meals.


The sole breadwinner of the family, which includes his two school-going daughters, Arun works as a gardener in Shahjahanpur, about 200 km from his village.


With no cooking gas left at home, he took leave from work and returned to arrange a refill.


"I had booked the cylinder four-five days ago, but it has not been delivered. Due to rising prices and delayed supply, it is becoming increasingly difficult for poor families like ours to cook daily meals," he said.


"I lined up at the agency at 3 am and got the cylinder around 12 noon. The agency opens at 10 am," he said.


District Supply Officer Rakesh Tiwari said the matter was looked into after it came to notice. "The agency informed that the connection holder, Arun Kumar, was provided a gas cylinder the same day. He has also been given the agency's contact number so that cylinders can be delivered to his home whenever required," Tiwari said.


Arun confirmed that he has received the cylinder and was given a contact number for future home delivery.


"I come home from Shahjahanpur once a month, and ensure there is cooking gas for my ailing parents at home. Due to some shortage this time, I had to wait longer in the queue," he said.

State run oil marketing companies on Friday increased the price of their premium-grade power petrol by over Rs 2 per litre, while keeping the prices of regular petrol and diesel unchanged.

The revised rates apply to high-performance fuel variants, including BPCL’s Speed, HPCL’s Power and IOCL’s XP95, with prices increasing in the range of Rs 2.09 to Rs 2.35 per litre.

There has been no change in the price of regular petrol, according to ANI.

The revision comes amid ongoing volatility in global energy markets due to the Middle East crisis. However, HPCL said it has taken steps to shield retail consumers from broader price increases.

The ongoing Iran conflict has triggered a sharp surge in global oil prices, largely due to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which nearly 20% of the world’s energy supplies pass.

LPG Gas Crisis Live Updates: Alternative fuel encouraged, ports functioning smoothly

The Centre also encouraged citizens to consider alternative fuel options wherever feasible, as a way to reduce pressure on LPG demand. This includes using electric appliances or other locally available energy sources. Meanwhile, officials clarified that there is no congestion at ports, ensuring that imports and transportation of LPG are proceeding without logistical bottlenecks.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Increased production and crackdown on hoarding

To address supply pressures, the government has ramped up domestic LPG production by 40%, a significant step aimed at meeting rising demand, officials said. In addition, around 4,500 raids have been conducted nationwide to curb illegal hoarding and black marketing of gas cylinders.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Supply still a matter of concern, says Centre

Despite improvements, the Centre acknowledged that LPG supply remains a concern across parts of the country. The ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to pose risks to global energy logistics, which can indirectly impact domestic availability. Officials noted that while current reserves and production are being managed efficiently, uncertainties persist.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Decline in panic buying offers relief, says Centre

The Centre on Friday highlighted a noticeable reduction in panic booking of LPG cylinders, which had surged earlier due to fears of supply disruption linked to the Middle East conflict. Officials reassured citizens that the situation is stabilizing as public confidence gradually returns. The decrease in panic-driven demand has helped streamline distribution and prevent unnecessary shortages at the consumer level.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: 3 held in Hazaribag for digital fraud, duping man on pretext of providing LPG connection

The Jharkhand CID has arrested three persons from Hazaribag for allegedly duping a man of Rs 19.85 lakh on the pretext of providing LPG connection, officials said on Friday.

The arrests were made following a complaint lodged at the CID’s cybercrime police station in November last year, they said.

“On the pretext of providing an LPG connection, they sent a fake link via social media to the complainant, and committed cyber fraud by siphoning off a total of Rs 19.85 lakh from his bank account,” the CID said in a release.

During investigation, the three accused were apprehended with assistance of the Hazaribag Police, it said.

The police have recovered a mobile phone and a SIM card allegedly used in the crime, the officials said. PTI

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Himachal Assembly meals cooked on wood-fired stoves as LPG shortage hits commercial supply

Amid a shortage of commercial LPG in Himachal Pradesh, meals for MLAs, ministers, officials, and staff during the ongoing Budget Session are being prepared using wood-fired ovens by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC).

Food for the Assembly is being supplied from Hotel Holiday Home in Shimla. On Friday, the sixth day of the session, HPTDC staff prepared meals for around 500-600 people using large utensils placed over traditional wood-fired furnaces. The food is then packed and transported in hot cases to the Assembly complex.

Harvinder Singh, a chef with HPTDC, said the situation is unusual. "I have not seen such an LPG shortage in my career. We are not used to cooking on wood-fired ovens, but we are ensuring that food is prepared on time and delivered hot," he said. He added that this method has been in use for the past four days.

Cooking on wood-fired stoves, locally known as bhattis, is common in rural parts of the state, especially during community events in districts such as Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur, and Una.

Another HPTDC chef, Ashwani Kumar, who belongs to a traditional botti (community cooking) family from Hamirpur, said the team is managing large-scale cooking under the circumstances. "We are cooking for 500-600 people ezhednevno for the Assembly. While I am happy to continue this tradition, I am also concerned that if large-scale wood usage continues across the state, it could harm the environment due to tree cutting," he said, adding that dry wood should be used to reduce environmental impact.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Migrant workers flee Surat as LPG shortage forces them to leave for home villages

The consequences of the West Asia Conflict became visible in Surat, Gujarat, as a large number of migrant workers crowded the Udhna Railway Station to return to their native villages, following a lack of availability of LPG.

Speaking with news agency ANI, the workers said that they are compelled to return to their home, despite the availability of work, as they were facing severe difficulties regarding cooking gas for several days.

They alleged that the gas is currently being sold at Rs 500 per kilogram, making it unaffordable to purchase, forcing them to go without food for several days.

"We are going to the village because we have not been getting gas for the last few days. Our companies are also shutting down... We don't have money, that's why we are going back. Nobody is helping us here... We will return once the gas supply resumes. Many people are going back," a migrant worker, Sachin, said.

Another migrant worker, Seema Devi, claimed that she has been trying to get gas for the past fifteen days without any results.

"I am going back to my village because of the gas issue... Our accounts are getting closed... And we do not have money. We haven't been getting gas for the last 15 days. Our gas ran out a week ago, and then it was announced that there was a gas shortage. After that, we informed the gas agency, but we are still not getting it. My daughter and I are going back, while my husband and two children are being left here. We are not getting even the small cylinders," she said.

Kamal Pal told ANI that the room owners have prohibited them from cooking food using wood, which can damage the rooms.

"The gas price is 500 per kg. What can we do? We are looking for gas for the past four days but haven't received any. We used to cook by using woods but the room owner has prohibited us. We will come back when things return to normal," he said.

Even though the workers seek to return after the restoration of the gas supply, the sudden migrations have created a shortage of workers for textile companies.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Railway station food outlets struggle to serve passengers amid LPG shortage in Pune

Scores of food outlets that serve passengers at Pune railway station are facing an escalating struggle amid the LPG crisis. Eatery owners both on platform no. 1 and in the circulating area said they may have to shut soon. “We have just one extra commercial cylinder left in each of our outlets for two or three days.

Things are looking bad,” said Virat Tomar, manager of around 10 outlets in the circulating area.

“We sell both snacks and meals, but we are now rationing the menu. Items that take a long time to cook are being made just once or twice in large batches. There are ways by which one can procure a cylinder at a very high price, but we cannot afford to do this,” another eatery representative said.

Pune railway station records movement of more than 1.6 lakh passengers per day. On Thursday, the junction was bustling as usual. Ramesh Ojha, a migrant worker, was waiting to catch the Pune-Danapur Express. He said, “I work in Talegaon as a daily wage worker and have limited funds to buy items like samosa or vada pav. For people like me, it is not possible to bring our own food. We depend on eateries here.”

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Steps underway to plug LPG leak in Kochi-Salem pipeline, 12km stretch emptied for repair

Authorities continued their efforts on Thursday evening to plug the LPG leakage in KochiSalem pipeline that was first noticed by residents in Thrissur on Wednesday morning. Residents noticed the leakage in the pipeline at Manali-Madavakkara road near Pudukad, located 7m underground, on the banks of Manali River.

After they complained of a sharp odour, police and fire brigade personnel asked people within 500 m of the area to move out. Power supply has been switched off and traffic banned. The fire brigade pumped water in the areas where the leakage was detected.

Kochi-Salem LPG Pipeline Private Ltd (KSPPL) is a joint venture of IOCL andBPCL. “Safety protocols were immediately activated, including the shutdown of pipeline operations and the mobilization of fire services and specialized emergency response vehicles. There is no ongoing threat to the public as the area remains cordoned off and monitored,” said BPCL in a statement.

Restoration work is progressing and technical teams are working on a war footing to repair the line and the work is expected tobe completed soon, said BPCL.

But BPCL officials refused to disclose the reason for the leakage, the amount of gas lost or details of the team’s containment strategy. However, fire brigade and police said KSPPL team closed the pipeline valves at Nellayi and Marathakkara. They are pumping water from Nellayi to push out the gas through the valve at Marathakkara and empty the 12km pipeline stretch.

A fire brigade official said the company had mentioned that this 12km pipeline stretch (with a diameter of 30cm between the two valves) may contain nine lakh litres of LPG. Welding work can begin only after the pipeline is emptied. A BPCL official said they have stepped up gas supply by road in the backdrop of this incident.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Spike in auto LPG sales in Kolkata raises smuggling concerns

An almost five-fold spike in auto LPG sale in the city over the past 10 days, coinciding with the curtailment of several autorickshaw routes, has raised red flags among oil marketing companies (OMCs), which suspect illegal diversion of fuel to commercial establishments reeling under a supply crunch.

Officials at oil companies said they are investigating the spurt in sales, which comes amid reports of fuel stations running dry and follows a govt order around two weeks ago suspending fresh LPG bookings for non-priority commercial sectors to cope with a crisis triggered by the war in West Asia.

According to figures shared by officials at Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, which together operate around 20 auto LPG stations in and around the city, sales peaked at 47.6 tonnes on March 16 and 47.5 tonnes the next day.

This marks a steep rise from the daily average of 10.4 tonnes in Jan and Feb.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: PNG-LPG dual connections to be eliminated in Vadodara; 69,000 inactive LPG users under review

The practice of consumers maintaining both piped natural gas (PNG) and LPG cylinder connections is set to end. Following instructions from the district administration, Vadodara Gas Ltd (VGL) has shared its PNG consumer data with oil marketing companies (OMCs), which have begun identifying customers holding both connections.

The Union government issued directives last week stating that those with PNG connections cannot obtain or retain LPG connections. At a recent meeting held by the district administration, VGL was asked to share its consumer details with OMCs. A VGL official said the data had been handed over and OMCs will now act.

Vadodara district collector Anil Dhameliya said that if a person with a PNG connection tries to book an LPG cylinder, the booking will be denied and the LPG connection cancelled. Dhameliya added that OMCs have identified around 69,000 LPG consumers who have not taken cylinders for a long time.

Physical verification will be carried out to determine whether they also have PNG connections. If such cases are found, their LPG connections will be cancelled. Panic booking of cylinders has dropped sharply, he added.

Gas agencies in areas where VGL has a strong network have also been instructed to monitor the possibility of consumers keeping both LPG and PNG connections. Officials said adequate LPG stocks are available.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Congress leaders appreciating PM Modi's foreign policy a welcome change, says CR Kesavan on Shashi Tharoor's West Asia statement

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson CR Kesavan, on Friday, while appreciating Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's support for India's foreign policy concerning West Asia, asserted that senior Congress leaders acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's balanced approach amid current global conflicts is a welcome change from Rahul Gandhi's constant criticism of the government.

Speaking to news agency ANI, the BJP spokesperson said that PM Modi's diplomatic outreach and goodwill have consistently secured India's interests and well being of the Indian diaspora abroad.

"Senior Congress leaders appreciating the nuanced and balanced foreign policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the current global conflict is indeed a welcome change compared to Rahul Gandhi's mindless criticism of the government. For PM, the welfare of Bharat and its people has always been paramount, and his extensive diplomatic outreach and exceptional personal goodwill have consistently safeguarded India's interests and the well-being of the Indian diaspora in conflict zones," said Kesavan.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Shashi Tharoor lauds India’s restraint in West Asia crisis, warns of energy disruptions

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor described India's response to the ongoing West Asia crisis as an exercise in "responsible statecraft," stressing that restraint in such a volatile situation reflects strength rather than weakness.

Tharoor said, "Restraint is not surrender. Restraint is strength... it shows that we know what our interests are and we will act first of all to protect our interests."

Referring to the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, Tharoor, however, said India should have expressed condolences earlier following the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, while maintaining a cautious diplomatic stance.

"There is a difference between condemnation and condolence... condolence is an expression of sympathy," he noted.

Highlighting the broader global impact of the conflict, Tharoor warned of severe economic disruptions, particularly in energy supplies.

"So much of oil and gas supplies have been affected... we are not able to receive it anymore, except in very small instalments," he said, pointing to shortages of LPG and disruptions in daily life across India.

He added that rising crude oil prices -- from around $64 per barrel at the start of the conflict to between $100 and $120 -- could trigger widespread inflation.

"We're looking at a very serious situation of petrol inflation, which in turn has a knock-on effect on everything," he said.

Calling for a clearer end goal in the ongoing military campaign, Tharoor questioned the strategic direction of the conflict.

"We don't know exactly what the desired end point is... I would have liked to have thought there was some strategic logic behind this assault," he said.

He urged countries like India to play a constructive diplomatic role in de-escalation efforts. "What many countries like us ought to be doing... is to actually take an initiative to call for peace, to give both sides a ladder to climb down," he said to news agency ANI.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Qatar LNG output cut 17% for five years after missile attack; India at risk as it imports 47% of gas from Qatar

Missile attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City have significantly disrupted global energy supplies, reducing the country's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity by 17 per cent and raising concerns for import-dependent nations like India.

In an official statement, QatarEnergy said the strikes, which occurred on March 18 and early March 19, 2026, caused extensive damage to key production facilities and are expected to result in an estimated loss of USD 20 billion in annual revenue.

The company added that repairs could take up to five years, forcing it to declare long-term force majeure on some LNG contracts.

Providing an update, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy President and CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said "The missile attacks reduced Qatar's LNG export capacity by 17 per cent and caused an estimated loss of USD 20 billion in annual revenue- Extensive damage to our production facilities will take up to five years to repair and will compel us to declare long-term force majeure"

The disruption has raised concerns for India, which relies heavily on Qatar for its energy needs. Official data from the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) and the Ministry of Commerce shows that Qatar accounts for nearly half of India's LNG imports.

In 2024, India imported about 27.8 million metric tonnes (MMT) of LNG, with Qatar supplying 11.30 MMT worth USD 6.40 billion, representing nearly 47 per cent of total LNG imports. Official 2025-26 data from the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) and the Ministry of Commerce also confirmed that Qatar remains India's primary gas supplier

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Qatar PM says gas hub attack proves Iran not only targeting US interests

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Friday condemned Iran’s attack on the world’s largest gas facility in Qatar, calling it “clear proof” that Tehran’s claims of targeting only US interests in the Gulf were false.

“There were persistent Iranian claims that these attacks are against American interests… and this claim is rejected and cannot be accepted,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “The clear proof of this is the attack that took place yesterday targeting a natural gas facility in the State of Qatar.”

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Rajasthan police warn of cyber frauds exploiting LPG shortage panic

Rajasthan police Thursday issued an advisory warning citizens about cyber fraudsters exploiting fears of LPG gas shortage to cheat people through fake booking platforms and phishing methods, officials said.

Deputy inspector general of police (Cyber Crime) Shantanu Kumar Singh said fraudsters are targeting people by creating panic around gas availability and using technical manipulation to steal money and sensitive information.

Police said criminals are using multiple methods, including fake LPG booking websites that mimic official portals to collect banking details, and calls posing as gas agency staff to extract OTPs and UPI PINs on the pretext of KYC updates or subsidy issues.

Officials said phishing links are also being circulated via SMS and WhatsApp messages claiming that subsidies are on hold, prompting users to click on malicious links that can compromise their data.

Cyber criminals are also convincing victims to install screen-sharing applications such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer, gaining remote access to their devices, while QR codes are being misused to trick users into making payments under false pretences.

The advisory urged citizens to use only official websites, mobile applications or authorised IVRS systems for LPG-related services and to avoid sharing confidential details.

OTP, diary entry now mandatory for domestic LPG deliveries in Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sumit Godara has said that LPG supply remains stable and efficient, with domestic gas cylinders being delivered within three to four days of booking. He assured citizens that adequate LPG stock is available and there is no need for concern. Godara announced that no domestic LPG cylinder will be delivered without OTP verification and a mandatory entry in the delivery diary. The decision follows reports of irregularities at certain gas agencies, where cylinders were diverted without proper verification.

A growing shortage of cooking gas is choking Vadodara's bustling street food scene, forcing vendors to shut stalls or turn to makeshift alternatives like firewood to keep their businesses running, and making everyday staples like a quick cup of steaming tea or a plate of spicy roadside noodles increasingly hard to find.

Over the past few days, several roadside food stalls have downed shutters, while others are struggling to stay operational amid dwindling LPG supplies. For many vendors who rely on quick, affordable cooking, the crisis has disrupted their daily livelihood.

“It’s been almost five days since my gas cylinder ran out,” said Hitesh Mali, who runs an egg stall on Old Padra Road. “I had to arrange firewood and set up a furnace near my stall. We are not getting new cylinders, and the situation is getting tougher.” He added that at least two vendors operating nearby have already shut down.

Street food vendors largely depend on LPG cylinders as they are economical and ensure faster cooking. However, the ongoing supply disruption — reportedly linked to tensions in West Asia — has left them in a difficult position, with no clarity on when normal supply will resume.

“The cylinders we have are running out quickly, and we may soon have to reduce our working hours,” said Vaibhav Kharchikar, who runs a South Indian food stall in Manjalpur. “Even at a premium, new cylinders are not available. One cylinder usually lasts eight to ten days, and we never expected such a shortage.”

Patna has faced a sustained LPG crisis for over 10 days following the conflict in West Asia. Gas agency owners said multiple members of a household often hold separate subscriptions. They added that many people who had not taken cylinders for several years have now become active and started booking cylinders, stocking up and hoarding them.

This has increased demand and created a backlog in supply and delivery. A rise in demand has also been noted due to Chaiti Chhath, Navaratra and Eid.

A gas agency owner from Kankarbagh said on condition of anonymity, “At the beginning of the crisis, bookings multiplied by almost four times and over 1,000 bookings would come on a single day.” He added that as manpower and the number of delivery vehicles were limited, there was a mismatch between bookings and deliveries, which led to a backlog and panic among residents.

The agency owner added that to cope with the demand, delivery personnel worked overtime for almost a week. Instead of finishing duty by 5pm, they worked till 8pm to clear the delivery log. Nearly 400 cylinders were delivered daily, above the normal capacity.

Due to the extended work hours of delivery staff, the backlog has now reduced and the situation is gradually returning to normal. On Thursday, he said bookings had fallen to around 300 per day and deliveries to 299. The functioning of agencies depends on the number of subscribers and consumers.

At least 396 LPG cylinders, including 167 commercial ones, of different oil marketing companies, were seized from a godown in Waluj area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Wednesday evening.

Authorities said it is the first of its kind seizure of LPG cylinders of different oil firms hoarded at a single place in bulk across the state. “Illegally hoarded LPG cylinders of as many as five oil marketing companies have been found hoarded illegally at a godown in Sector C of Waluj.

The owner of the warehouse is one of the LPG distributors. We suspect that LPG distributors concerned were acting in a syndicate to carry out black marketing of cylinders during the current LPG crisis,” supply inspector of Gangapur tehsil Meenal Pawar-Kulkarni said on Thursday.

The godown concerned was registered for pharmacy-related business and was exposed when MIDC authorities were surveying non-functional units, authorities said. The MIDC Waluj Police have registered an offence against three people under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, with the main accused said to be running multiple LPG distributing companies.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Meerut hospital cook alleges LPG shortage, forced to use makeshift stoves; officials deny claims

A cook at Meerut District Hospital alleged a shortage of LPG cylinders for past four days, forcing staff to prepare food for patients on makeshift stoves.

A purported video of the cook, who wished to remain anonymous, surfaced online Thursday. Officials, however, disputed claims.

CMO Ashok Kataria said, “After speaking to district supply officer, the matter was addressed.” However, district supply officer Vinay Singh termed the allegations “baseless,” asserting no LPG shortage. “It should be verified whether a refill was even booked. CMO told me they require one cylinder per day, and supply was ensured,” he said.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Indian Oil adds new LPG booking numbers as demand surges

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has introduced additional booking numbers following a surge in customer traffic on existing lines. The new numbers aim to reduce congestion and provide faster service to Indane consumers across regions, an official notice from the organisation stated.

According to the notice, customers can now book LPG refills through the newly activated interactive voice response system number, 8391990070, and a dedicated missed call number, 8927225667. These options will function alongside the existing booking channels already in use.

Consumers may continue using familiar methods such as SMS (7718955555), missed-call booking (8927225667), WhatsApp (7588888824), the IndianOil ONE mobile app, the customer portal (cx.indianoil.in), and third-party platforms including PhonePe and Paytm.

According to the guidelines, the mandatory waiting period remains unchanged — 25 days for urban customers and 45 days for rural or general-category customers from the date of their previous booking.

The company stated that the expansion of booking lines will help manage rising demand during peak periods, ensuring quicker access to essential LPG services for millions of households.

Deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar said LPG supply in the district remains normal. All petroleum companies have restored booking facilities through WhatsApp, IVRS and mobile apps, while commercial cylinder supply, disrupted earlier, has resumed over the past two days. With 58 gas agencies currently serving Gurgaon, domestic supply is stable, and consumers are receiving cylinders within two to three days of online booking, Kumar said.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Gurgaon sees induction cooktop rush amid LPG panic; 4 lakh units sold in 10 days

Panic about LPG shortage has triggered an unprecedented spike in induction cooktop sales in Gurgaon, with more than four lakh units sold in just 10 days, traders said.
According to traders, nearly 70% of electric induction cooktops sold in the last 10 days are not high-end brands but local makes. "There is a mismatch between demand and supply of branded electric induction," said a shopkeeper.

Retailers said discounts disappeared within days due to soaring demand, and most outlets are now accepting advance bookings with waiting periods of up to five days.

LPG disruption, fuelled by supply constraints and delayed cylinder deliveries, has pushed households to shift rapidly to electric alternatives. This switch has also contributed to a noticeable rise in local electricity consumption. Retailers said the surge is the highest seen in recent years, reflecting growing public anxiety over the ongoing gas crisis.

"We have not seen such a spike in demand for these appliances in years," said Dinesh Sharma, a shop owner in Sadar Bazaar. Discounts that once ranged between 30–50% have vanished, with most cooktops now selling at full marked price due to overwhelming demand.

LPG Gas Crisis in India Live Updates: Bookings near pre-war levels as panic buying eases, but hotels still face supply constraints

Bookings for domestic LPG refills are approaching pre-war normal levels, signalling a gradual return to normalcy, but concerns persist as supply restrictions on commercial consumers, including hotels, remain in place due to ongoing disruptions in input supplies caused by the West Asia conflict.

Over 33 crore domestic LPG consumers had, on average, booked about 55 lakh cylinders daily before the February 28 military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran. The escalation triggered sweeping retaliation from Tehran, effectively shutting the Strait of Hormuz - a critical shipping corridor used by major Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE to export crude oil, gas and LPG to key markets including India.

The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz blocked India’s access to almost 60% of its LPG, leading to curtailment of supplies to commercial users and triggering panic buying by domestic users, which peaked to 87.7 lakh on March 13. Bookings have since fallen to 56-57 lakh on March 18, said Sujata Sharma, joint secretary, ministry of petroleum and natural gas.

“Panic booking is coming down,” she said, adding that the government continues to prioritise the supply of available LPG to domestic households.

However, “LPG (supply) situation remains worrisome but there is no dry out at any LPG distributor,” she said. Commercial users are getting just a fifth of their requirement.

Sharma said domestic LPG production has increased by over 40% in the last two weeks and the three public sector oil marketing companies have been making normal, pre-war levels of daily deliveries of LPG refills. “Our supply has not dipped. Some days the supply has been higher (than pre-war times). On March 18, 54.91 lakh LPG cylinders were delivered against a booking of over 56 lakh,” she said.

Oil companies are operating extra shifts to keep LPG deliveries in pace with the bookings. They delivered 62.5 lakh cylinders on March 13 and 60 lakh on March 14 - the peak two days of panic bookings.

(With PTI inputs)