LPG Cylinder Crisis Hits Delhi-NCR: Street Vendors Raise Prices Amid Gas Shortage
A growing LPG cylinder shortage in Delhi-NCR has begun affecting daily life and small businesses, with street food vendors raising prices of popular snacks like samosa, poha and tea. The crisis is linked to ongoing disruptions in global energy supply routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, which plays a crucial role in transporting oil and liquefied petroleum gas to many countries including India.
Cities such as Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad are witnessing the strongest impact, as commercial LPG cylinders used by small eateries and street vendors are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.
Street Vendors Struggle to Manage Costs
Thousands of street vendors across the region depend heavily on commercial LPG cylinders to cook food daily. With supply becoming uncertain, many are struggling to run their businesses normally.
Tea sellers and snack vendors report that suppliers are either delaying deliveries or charging higher prices for commercial cylinders. As a result, vendors have been forced to pass on some of the additional costs to customers.
Several vendors in busy markets and office areas say they had no option but to increase prices.
Typical price changes reported include:
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Tea: ₹10 increased to ₹12–₹15
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Samosa: ₹10 increased to ₹12–₹15
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Poha plate: ₹20 increased to around ₹25
For customers, these increases may appear small, but for vendors operating on thin profit margins, the rising cost of cooking gas can significantly affect daily earnings.
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Impacting Global Energy Supply
The main reason behind the LPG shortage is the ongoing geopolitical tension affecting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
A significant portion of global oil and gas shipments passes through this narrow waterway in the Middle East. Any disruption in this region can quickly affect energy supply chains across the world.
India relies heavily on imported LPG to meet domestic demand. Experts estimate that more than half of India’s LPG requirement comes from imports, many of which pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Due to recent tensions and security concerns in the region, shipping delays and supply uncertainty have emerged, causing shortages in several parts of India.
Commercial Cylinders Most Affected
Government officials say that domestic household LPG cylinders are being prioritised to ensure that families do not face cooking problems at home.
However, commercial cylinders used by restaurants, small eateries, and street vendors are experiencing tighter supply.
Food vendors say they are sometimes forced to wait several days for cylinder delivery, while others claim distributors have limited stock.
This has created pressure on thousands of small food businesses that depend on daily cooking gas supply to operate.
Restaurants and Cloud Kitchens Also Feeling Pressure
The LPG shortage is not only affecting street vendors but also restaurants, food stalls, and cloud kitchens across Delhi-NCR.
Some restaurants have reduced menu items to save gas, while others have shortened operating hours.
Food delivery platforms are also seeing disruptions because some small kitchens cannot prepare orders normally due to limited cooking fuel availability.
Industry experts say that if the crisis continues for several weeks, it could lead to further price increases in street food and restaurant meals.
Rising LPG Prices Add to the Problem
The situation has become more challenging due to recent increases in LPG cylinder prices.
Commercial LPG cylinder prices have already risen significantly in recent months, putting pressure on small businesses that rely on them for daily operations.
For many vendors, cooking gas represents one of the largest operational expenses, making the shortage even more difficult to manage.
Government Monitoring the Situation
Authorities are closely monitoring the LPG supply situation across the country.
Officials say steps are being taken to ensure that household LPG supply remains stable, while efforts are also underway to manage commercial demand.
Energy experts believe the situation may stabilise once shipping routes become normal again and global supply chains adjust to the current geopolitical conditions.
However, if tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue, temporary shortages and price fluctuations may persist.
Everyday Food Becoming Costlier
For residents of Delhi-NCR, the impact of the LPG crisis is already visible in everyday life. Popular snacks like samosas and cups of tea, staples of roadside food culture, are slowly becoming more expensive.
Small vendors say they hope the situation improves soon, as continued gas shortages could force some of them to reduce operations or temporarily shut down their stalls.
Until global supply stabilises, the LPG cylinder crisis may continue to affect food prices, small businesses and daily consumers across the region.
