LPG shortage triggers restaurant closures, exposes India’s energy vulnerability
Srinagar: A growing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortage in India has forced restaurants and hotels to shut down, exposing the fragility of the country’s energy supply chain and raising serious questions about the Modi government’s economic and diplomatic policies.
According to Kashmir Media Service, nearly 20 percent of hotels in Mumbai alone have already closed due to the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, while industry bodies warn that 50 to 60 percent of restaurants could shut within days if supplies are not restored. Reports say commercial cylinders are being sold on the black market for around INR 3,000, while the official price has also increased by INR 115 per 19-kilogram cylinder.
Analysts say the crisis has highlighted India’s heavy dependence on energy imports from West Asia, a region currently facing escalating conflict and instability. Official data indicates that about 46.9 percent of India’s LPG imports and 68.4 percent of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports come from the region.
Observers note that India reportedly has barely two weeks of LPG reserves, raising concerns about the country’s preparedness to handle supply disruptions. They say the shortage has exposed serious gaps in energy planning and crisis management.
Critics also argue that the Modi government’s openly pro-Israel posture has complicated relations with several Middle Eastern energy suppliers, potentially affecting supply stability. According to experts, such diplomatic positioning risks putting India’s essential energy imports under strain.
The situation has triggered criticism of the government’s claims of energy self-reliance, as rising prices, shortages and business closures continue to affect ordinary citizens and small businesses. Observers say the unfolding crisis highlights how weak planning and poor management can directly disrupt economic activity and daily life across the country.
