Indian households are facing a fresh pinch as domestic cooking gas prices saw a sharp hike on Saturday. The cost of a 14.2kg LPG cylinder has risen by ₹60, while commercial cylinders — essential for the struggling hospitality sector — have jumped by approximately ₹115. Taking effect from March 7, this revision is a direct fallout of the volatile energy markets currently rattled by the escalating military conflict in West Asia.
In the capital, the price for a non-subsidised domestic cylinder has climbed from ₹853 to ₹913. Similar increases are being felt across the metros, with people in Mumbai having to pay ₹912.50, while those in Kolkata have to pay an even higher amount of ₹939. This is the second major correction in rates in under a year, following an increase of ₹50 last April, as the situation in the Persian Gulf continues to be precarious. The timing is particularly difficult given the ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which nearly half of India’s LPG and crude imports must pass. With insurers pulling coverage and Tehran issuing warnings to tankers— the logistical cost of keeping India's kitchens running has surged. However, there is some relief for the most vulnerable; the 10 crore households under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will continue to receive their ₹300 subsidy per cylinder, shielding them from the brunt of this global spike.
Despite the rise, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has moved to calm nerves, insisting that India’s energy supplies remain stable. Taking to X, he reassured citizens that there is no shortage of fuel and no cause for panic. Government sources backed this up, pointing out that India’s strategic diversification — increasingly sourcing oil from Russia and the US — has left the country in a "comfortable position" with enough total reserves to last 50 days.
Indian Oil Corporation has also issued a firm dismissal of social media rumours regarding petrol or diesel shortages, urging the public not to crowd fuel stations. While the price at the stove has certainly gone up, the message from New Delhi is clear: the molecules are available, the supply lines are functioning, and the country is well-prepared to weather the current geopolitical storm.
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