GROUND REPORT: LPG Crisis Forces Sweet Makers to Wood Fires, Shortages Hit Homes and Shops

The deepening LPG shortage across India is now visibly disrupting daily life and small businesses, with ground reports highlighting growing distress. In Moradabad, traditional sweet makers and food vendors have been forced to abandon gas stoves and return to wood and coal-fired furnaces due to the unavailability of commercial cylinders. This shift has significantly reduced production capacity, as wood-fired cooking is slower and less efficient. Vendors report that customers are leaving due to delays and limited supply of food items. Adding to their troubles, the price of firewood has risen by ₹2–₹3 per kilogram in recent days, further increasing operational costs. Meanwhile, in Varanasi, even politically connected individuals are struggling to secure LPG refills. Residents report delays of several days just to complete bookings, with long queues and system backlogs worsening the situation. Many households are left with empty cylinders and no immediate alternative for cooking. The crisis underscores the cascading impact of global supply disruptions, particularly linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz involving Iran. As shortages persist, both urban households and local businesses are grappling with rising costs, reduced output, and uncertainty over fuel availability.

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