Mumbai is facing a serious shortage of LPG cooking gas, forcing residents to wait longer for refills while hotels and restaurants fear disruptions in their operations. Dealers say the waiting time for refills has increased from two days to nearly eight days after booking, which has led to panic buying in many parts of the city.

Since Monday morning, many families who have two cylinders have rushed to dealer outlets to secure bookings before stocks run out. Some residents were even ready to carry cylinders home themselves to avoid delays in delivery.

Dealers also pointed to a new rule that has added pressure on supply. One suburban dealer said, “A new notification from the Union Ministry of Petroleum says domestic consumers can book a refill only 25 days after receiving the previous cylinder.”

He further added, “It’s not like last week when the next cylinder could be booked within a day or two.”

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How the US–Israel–Iran conflict halted the supply

Dealers say the disruption is linked to the ripple effects of the Iran–Israel conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has affected global energy supply chains.

According to LPG dealers, supply delays began soon after the geopolitical tensions escalated, affecting shipments and distribution schedules. One dealer said, “The supply of commercial LPG cylinders has been completely halted since Sunday.”

He warned that eateries could soon face major problems. “This will lead to a crisis for hotels and restaurants that depend on large commercial cylinders,” he added. Dealers also cautioned that businesses may turn to illegal options. Another dealer said, “Hotels may be forced to buy domestic cylinders from the black market. This is illegal as well as dangerous.”

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With commercial LPG supply halted and domestic refill bookings restricted, Mumbai could face a wider food and hospitality crisis if the disruption continues. Dealers have urged authorities to ensure commercial cylinder supply even if prices increase. They warned that if the situation worsens, it may affect hotel businesses across the city and create difficulties for households as well.