Delhi LPG Crisis: Street Vendors, Restaurants Struggle as Cylinder Prices Triple Amid Iran War

A serious cooking gas shortage has begun affecting daily life in Delhi, creating major problems for restaurants, street vendors and small food businesses across the city. The ongoing LPG crisis has disrupted kitchens that rely heavily on commercial cylinders for cooking, forcing many eateries to reduce their menus, raise prices or temporarily shut down operations. The situation highlights how dependent urban food systems are on long and complex supply chains.

The shortage is believed to be linked partly to rising global tensions in West Asia, which have affected global energy supply and shipping routes. When such disruptions occur, the impact quickly reaches cities like Delhi where millions of households and businesses rely on Liquefied Petroleum Gas for daily cooking. Even a short disruption in supply can lead to panic bookings, price hikes and long waiting periods for new cylinders.

Small food vendors appear to be the worst affected. Many vendors who run small stalls in areas like Laxmi Nagar, Noida and Rajinder Nagar say the price of commercial LPG cylinders has increased sharply. Some claim that cylinders that earlier cost around ₹1,000–₹1,200 are now selling for nearly ₹3,000 or even ₹5,000 in unofficial markets. Because of this, several vendors have been forced to switch to alternative fuels such as coal, wood or even cow-dung stoves. However, these alternatives take more time for cooking and create hygiene and operational challenges.

Also Read: Gujarat Govt Denies LPG Crisis, Says 4 Lakh Cylinders in Stock Amid Iran War Fears

The crisis is also reminding many people of the hardships seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, when large numbers of workers and vendors left cities due to economic difficulties. Some food vendors are now considering returning to their hometowns temporarily because running their businesses has become too expensive. For example, a biryani vendor from Kanpur working in the Delhi region said he may return home if gas prices remain high and supplies remain uncertain.

Restaurant owners across the city are also feeling the pressure. In major business areas such as Nehru Place, several restaurants have reduced the number of dishes on their menu because they do not have enough gas cylinders to cook everything. Some eateries that earlier served dozens of dishes have cut their menu to just a few items to save fuel. In other places like Kalkaji, Lajpat Nagar and Mandi House, vendors have stopped preparing fried snacks such as samosas, pakoras and bread pakoras because these require large amounts of LPG.

A few businesses are experimenting with electric stoves or induction cooktops as alternatives. However, restaurant owners say electric cooking is not always practical for large-scale operations because it is slower and increases electricity costs. Many also say that certain traditional dishes simply cannot be cooked properly without gas.

If the LPG shortage continues, vendors fear that more small businesses may shut down temporarily. For thousands of street food sellers and tea stall owners who depend on daily sales, the rising cost of cooking fuel is directly affecting their income and livelihoods. The crisis shows how international conflicts and disruptions in global energy supply can quickly affect everyday life, even in cities far away from the original source of the problem.

Also Read: Delhi Police Warns Citizens: Do Not Click Unknown Links Amid LPG Cylinder Crisis