LPG Hits Rs 1,500 in Black Market Amid Iran War Panic

Chandani — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:24:10 +0000

LPG Hits Rs 1,500 on Black Market as Iran War Fuels Panic Buying

So a sense of fear is gripping kitchens across India. On Monday, March 9, 2026, long queues formed outside LPG gas agencies in several states. The goal of these crowds is to stock up on fuel during the Iran war. In fact, black market prices for cylinders have hit Rs 1,500 in some towns. Plus, the government has introduced strict new rules for booking refills.

Why People are Panic Buying

But here is the main reason why consumers are worried. The war in Iran has choked the Strait of Hormuz. This is a vital route for India’s gas supplies. Is there a real shortage? Officials say no. Consequently, the rush is mostly due to “localized bottlenecks” and hoarding. Moreover, the government hiked the price of domestic cylinders by Rs 60 last week. Previously, people could book refills much faster. So, the sudden change in rules has made families feel unsafe. Therefore, thousands are now waiting in line to secure their next cylinder.

New Booking Rules and Government Response

Still, the government insists that India has enough gas for 30 days. The plan to manage the rush involves a new “lock-in” period. And, you can no longer book a second cylinder immediately. Accordingly, the gap between two bookings has increased significantly to prevent hoarding.

Booking Type	Old Lock-in	New Lock-in (March 2026)
🏠 Single Cylinder	15 Days	21 Days
🏘️ Double Cylinder	15 Days	30 Days
💰 Delhi Price (14kg)	Rs 853	Rs 913

The Rise of the Black Market

But the official rules are creating a side effect in small towns. The reason for the panic is that delivery times have slowed down. Why? Because bookings have jumped by 20% in the last few days. Essentially, some people are now paying Rs 1,500 to private sellers to avoid the wait. Indeed, even industries in places like Khurja are seeing gas prices jump to Rs 94 per kg.

Then there is the matter of global supply. The reason India is safe is because of imports from the US and Australia. Worth noting: Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri stated that there is “no cause for worry.” Ultimately, while the queues look scary, the crisis seems to be more about panic than a total lack of gas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a nationwide LPG shortage? So, no. The government says strategic reserves are full. Because of this, the current long lines are caused by a sudden spike in simultaneous orders.

Can I book a cylinder today? In fact, yes. But you must follow the new 21-day or 30-day waiting rule. Additionally, online booking systems will block your order if you try to book too early.

Why did the prices go up? But the Iran war has increased global shipping and insurance costs. Consequently, oil companies passed these costs to consumers on March 7.