The government has a message for LPG: Your kitchen is safe. But the lines at gas agencies are long. Very long. On Thursday, March 12, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri spoke to the Lok Sabha. Next, Sujata Sharma from the Oil Ministry gave an update. Actually, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed for 13 days. So, the government is moving fast. Now, they have new “demand rules.”

The “Panic” Factor

Look, the biggest threat isn’t the war. It’s fear. Sujata Sharma says supply is steady. But bookings have exploded. Why? People are rushing to stock up. In fact, it’s panic-induced. So, the government hit the brakes. Now, they have changed the rules for everyone.

The New Rules:

• Cities: Wait 25 days between bookings.

• Villages: Wait 45 days now.

• Status: Delivery still takes about 2.5 days.

The Hormuz Chokepoint

Actually, the math is simple. India imports 60% of its LPG. And about 90% of that comes through the Strait of Hormuz. Since the US-Israel-Iran war blocked the path, energy flows have stopped. Indeed, 20% of global gas is stuck. So, India is dealing with the fallout.

But there is good news. India is buying from new places.

• The US

• Canada

• Norway

• Russia

Refineries on Overdrive

How are we making up the gap? Basically, a new order hit on March 8. It tells refineries to maximize LPG. Consequently, production jumped 28% in five days. Instead of chemicals, they are making cooking gas. So, the supply is growing.

“India is better off than neighbors,” Puri said. Some countries have closed schools. Others have cut fuel for cars. Still, India is holding steady.

Commercial vs. Domestic

Meanwhile, restaurants are feeling the pinch. Commercial LPG is now strictly watched. Why? To stop black marketing. Actually, the government wants to stop gas from being stolen for profit. So, if you eat out, expect smaller menus. Indeed, many shops are already switching to wood fire.

The Bottom Line

Look, the government released 40,000 kiloliters of kerosene as a backup. So, don’t rush the app. If you follow the 25-day rule, it works. However, if the panic stays, the system might break.

Is your local gas man still delivering, or are you seeing “booking blocked” on your phone?

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HCLTech told Chennai staff to stay home today. Thursday, March 12. And Friday, too. So, why the sudden shift? No cooking gas. The ongoing LPG crunch—sparked by the US-Iran war—has crippled office cafeterias. Now, vendors simply can’t get fuel. In fact, two senior executives confirmed the move to Mint earlier today. But this isn’t just a local glitch. Instead, the domino effect of the Middle East conflict is hitting India’s tech hubs. Hard.

No Gas, No Menu

But how does a war in Iran shut down a kitchen in Chennai? Still, it comes down to the supply chain. And it isn’t just HCLTech. Meanwhile, Infosys is also feeling the heat. Or lack of it. The IT giant issued advisories in Bengaluru and Chennai. Since supply is tight, they’ve cut menus. Live counters? Gone. Consequently, the company is now asking employees to bring home-cooked food.

Today’s situation:

• HCLTech: Full WFH for Chennai (March 12-13).

• Infosys: Limited menus, no live cooking in Bengaluru/Chennai.

• Wells Fargo: VP already recommending WFH due to shortages.

Look, it’s a mess.

The Price of War

After government officials promised steady supply, the reality hit. And it’s different. Prices for a 14.2 kg domestic cylinder jumped by ₹60 this week. Later, commercial cylinders—the 19 kg ones used by offices—became ₹144 costlier.

“Cafeteria vendors just can’t operate,” one executive said. Because it’s too expensive. Or the gas just isn’t there. So, we reached out to HCLTech for a formal comment. Still waiting.

The Global Ripple

Then there is the big picture. Now, India Inc. is bracing for a long haul. The conflict started nearly two weeks ago. Next, it’s hitting energy, logistics, and even hiring. Indeed, global search firms say senior-level hiring for West Asia roles is on hold. Turns out, uncertainty is the new normal.

So, why should you care?

1. Nine million Indians work in GCC countries.

2. Bonuses are under pressure in energy and construction.

3. Travel is being restricted by groups like Nasscom.

Will this end soon? Doubt it.

What’s Next?

Still, the LPG crunch isn’t just an office problem. Actually, it’s a domestic crisis. In rural areas, the government says cylinders might take 45 days to arrive.

Look, the tech sector survived the pandemic with WFH. But can it survive a fuel crisis the same way? Actually, the math says yes. However, for the millions of employees used to office perks, the “new normal” just got a lot more complicated.

So, expect more WFH announcements this week. Especially if the US-Iran situation escalates.

Is your office cafeteria still running, or are you packing a lunch tomorrow?

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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.

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.

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