Key moments
Delhi is facing a critical LPG gas cylinder shortage, prompting protests from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs. The situation escalated on March 25, 2026, as citizens reported long queues forming across the city, desperately seeking gas cylinders.
Prices have skyrocketed, with cylinders now costing between ₹5000 and ₹6000. AAP leaders, including Atishi and Sanjeev Jha, have voiced their frustration, stating, “Today, across the country, long queues are forming for a single gas cylinder,” and, “There is devastation across the country and people are not getting gas cylinders.” The crisis has left many struggling to prepare meals, with Kuldeep Kumar noting, “People need to organise ‘bhandara(s)’ and prepare fasting meals at home, but there are no cylinders.”
The shortage extends beyond Delhi, impacting the tourism sector in Meghalaya, where hotels and restaurants are scaling down operations due to a lack of commercial LPG. With 1.6 million tourist footfalls last year, the hospitality industry warns that prolonged shortages could severely affect visitor experiences.
The government has attributed the crisis to geopolitical issues, particularly the disruption of LPG supply from the Middle East due to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. In response, officials are pushing for a rapid expansion of natural gas pipelines across India and have mandated a transition from LPG to piped natural gas (PNG) in areas where it is available.
Households will have a three-month window to switch to PNG once notified, or risk having their LPG supply discontinued. This move aims to reduce dependence on imported LPG, which has become increasingly precarious amid ongoing global tensions.
As the crisis unfolds, reactions from political leaders continue to pour in. AAP’s Atishi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, declaring, “Narendra Modi Ne Kiya Surrender, Gayab Hua Gas Cylinder.” The urgency of the situation has prompted calls for immediate government intervention to alleviate the suffering of citizens.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timeline for the transition to PNG and how the government plans to address the immediate shortage of LPG cylinders. As the situation develops, the people of Delhi and beyond are left waiting for answers and solutions.
