Govt Asks Restaurants To Use Coal, Households To Use Piped Gas
India’s ongoing LPG supply crisis has prompted the government to suggest alternative fuel options for both businesses and households. With cooking gas shortages linked to global energy disruptions, authorities have asked restaurants and commercial kitchens to temporarily switch to coal or other fuelswhile households that have access to piped natural gas (PNG) are being encouraged to shift away from LPG cylinders.
Why the Government Issued This Advisory
The advisory comes as the LPG shortage continues to deepen due to disruptions in global energy supply chains caused by the West Asia conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel. The geopolitical tension has affected fuel shipments and increased pressure on India’s LPG supply.
Officials said the situation remains a concern and requires temporary conservation of LPG so that essential household demand can be prioritized.
Restaurants Asked to Use Coal or Alternative Fuels
Commercial users of LPG—especially restaurants, hotels, and large kitchens—consume large quantities of cooking gas every day.
To reduce pressure on LPG supplies, the government has suggested that such establishments switch to coal, firewood, or other alternative fuels wherever possible until the supply situation improves.
In several cities, eateries have already begun experimenting with alternatives like firewood and electric cooking systems to continue operations amid LPG shortages.
Households Encouraged to Shift to PNG
The government also advised households that have access to piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure to temporarily switch to it instead of LPG cylinders.
According to official estimates, around 7 lakh LPG customers in India have the option to use PNGwhich can help reduce demand for LPG cylinders and stabilize supply for consumers who rely solely on bottled gas.
Authorities emphasized that PNG supply remains stable and can serve as a reliable alternative during the current crisis.
Additional LPG Allocation Announced
To tackle the shortage, the government has approved an additional allocation of about 48,000 kilolitres of LPG beyond the regular quota. The extra supply aims to ensure that households continue to receive cooking gas while commercial demand is temporarily reduced.
At the same time, authorities have warned against panic buying and hoarding, which has increased the number of LPG booking requests in recent days.
Impact on Businesses and Consumers
The LPG crisis has already begun affecting daily life and businesses across several regions:
- Restaurants and small eateries are reducing operations or experimenting with alternative fuels.
- Some households are facing delays in LPG cylinder delivery.
- Demand for backup cooking options such as induction stoves and firewood has surged.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation and have launched inspections and raids in some areas to prevent black marketing of LPG cylinders.
Conclusion
As LPG supply pressure continues due to global energy disruptions, the government is encouraging temporary fuel alternatives such as coal for restaurants and PNG for households to conserve LPG for essential users. While additional LPG supplies have been allocated, the situation remains closely tied to developments in global energy markets.
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