LPG Crisis: Strait Of Hormuz Blockade Disrupts 90% of Gas Imports

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices across major Indian cities remain largely stable on March 18, even as supply concerns grow due to disruptions in the Middle East. According to data from Indian Oil Corporation, domestic 14.2 kg LPG cylinder prices currently range between ₹912 and ₹1,002 across major urban centres, while commercial 19 kg cylinders cost significantly more due to higher demand from businesses such as hotels and restaurants.

In the national capital, a 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder is priced at ₹913, while the commercial 19 kg cylinder costs ₹1,883. Prices vary slightly across other major cities, with Mumbai recording ₹912.5 for domestic cylinders and ₹1,835 for commercial ones. Kolkata has one of the higher domestic prices at ₹939 and a commercial rate of ₹1,990, while Chennai’s domestic cylinder costs ₹928.5 and the commercial variant ₹2,043.50.

Other metropolitan areas have also reported varying prices. Bengaluru records ₹915.5 for domestic cylinders and ₹1,958 for commercial cylinders, while Hyderabad has among the highest commercial prices at ₹2,105.50 with domestic cylinders costing ₹965. In cities like Jaipur and Lucknow, domestic LPG cylinders are priced at ₹942 and ₹950.5 respectively, while Patna has the highest domestic price among the listed cities at ₹1,002.50.

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

The pricing situation comes amid concerns about supply disruptions following escalating tensions in the Middle East that have affected energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The route is a crucial transit corridor for global oil and gas shipments and plays a particularly important role in India’s energy imports from West Asia.

Speaking about the situation, Nirmala Sitharaman said the government is working to boost domestic LPG production to ensure that household cooking gas supplies remain stable despite the disruptions. She noted that India imports nearly 65 percent of its LPG requirements and that the ongoing conflict has raised concerns about the availability of supplies arriving through the Strait of Hormuz.

India’s energy dependence on imports remains significant, with around 88 percent of crude oil, roughly half of natural gas, and about 60 percent of LPG requirements sourced from abroad. A large share of these supplies comes from West Asian countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. While the government has managed to partially offset crude oil supply disruptions by increasing imports from other sources such as Russia, commercial LPG supplies to businesses have already been curtailed in some areas due to the ongoing crisis.

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