Commercial LPG shortage looms in Hyderabad as government prioritises households
Emergency measures to prioritise domestic LPG supply amid the West Asia conflict may soon trigger a shortage for restaurants and commercial establishments in Hyderabad. Distributors say households will receive priority, while eateries may struggle once existing commercial cylinder stocks run out.
Hyderabad: The ongoing energy disruption due to West Asia conflict is expected to have a major impact across Hyderabad and the districts of Telangana. While domestic consumers are being shielded through strict Government mandates, Hyderabad’s commercial establishments, however, just like other Indian metro cities, are staring at an ‘inevitable’ supply collapse in the coming days.
On Monday night, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) officially invoked emergency measures to protect household kitchens from the burgeoning energy crisis, effectively leaving the commercial hospitality sector in a ‘struggle for survival’.
In a critical update issued late on Monday night, the Ministry of Petroleum confirmed a nationwide reprioritisation of fuel. The official handle of the Ministry posted on X, “In light of current geopolitical disruptions to fuel supply, the Ministry has issued orders to oil refineries for higher LPG production and using such extra production for domestic LPG use,” the official statement read.
The Ministry has mandated that refineries must now divert all available propane and butane, typically used for chemicals, into the domestic LPG sector. To further safeguard stocks, the Ministry has introduced a mandatory 25-day inter-booking period for LPG gas cylinders to prevent ‘panic-booking’ and hoarding that often accompanies global instability.
Following the high-level instructions from the Government of India, oil marketing companies (OMCs) in Greater Hyderabad have pivoted to a ‘Domestic First’ strategy.
Senior office bearer of Greater Hyderabad LPG Distributors Association, D Ashok Kumar, said that shortage of LPG for commercial establishments is inevitable, since the present mandate is to prioritise household supply.
“We are well-prepared to meet the domestic demand. Just like other metros like Bengaluru and Chennai, the commercial establishments in Hyderabad will also have to face a shortage,” he said.
According to Ashok Kumar, commercial supply has been stripped of priority status, with very few exceptions. “Exemptions are only being made for critical sectors like hospitals and residential schools where food is prepared for students,” he explained.
For the thousands of restaurants and tiffin centres across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the clock is ticking. “At present, we are utilising whatever commercial stock was already built up in the city. Once that is exhausted, a serious shortage is inevitable,” Ashok Kumar warned.
A Regional Crisis: Bengaluru and Chennai Sound the Alarm
Hyderabad is not alone in this struggle. Across South India, the hospitality sector is reaching a breaking point:
The Bangalore Hotels Association has already sounded a city-wide alert, warning that kitchens may begin shutting down as early as this week. Association leaders claim the sudden stoppage of commercial refills is a “devastating blow” to an industry still recovering from global price hikes.
Situation is similar in Tamil Nadu, hotel bodies have reported that they are ‘running out of gas,” with many smaller eateries already scaling back menus or reducing operating hours to conserve their remaining 19kg cylinder stocks.
Massive surge in panic calls chokes local helplines
The strict adherence to 25-day cylinder-booking rule has triggered a wave of panic-calling across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, leaving local gas agency helplines severely congested. Distributors report that their IVRS lines and customer service desks are being ‘choked’ by numerous and unnecessary inquiries from anxious domestic users attempting to book refills long before their current supply is exhausted.
“This surge in call volume is not only leading to long wait times and ‘line busy’ signals for genuine customers but is also hindering the processing of emergency leakage complaints. To ease the pressure on the telephone network, we (Telangana LPG Distributors Association) are requesting the people of Hyderabad to remain calm and utilise digital booking platforms instead of voice calls,” Ashok Kumar added.
Some important points:
LPG distributors in Greater Hyderabad have been directed to prioritise household LPG supply
Restaurants, eateries and other commercial establishments in State Capital are on borrowed time
At present, they are operating on a built-up stock of commercial LPG cylinders
Hospitals and residential schools have been exempted and will continue to receive commercial LPG cylinders
Enough supply of domestic/household LPG cylinders available
25-day booking period for LPG cylinders is mandatory
Distributors urge household customers not to panic
LPG Gas suppliers urge people not to make panic calls to book LPG cylinders
