The long queues of people holding empty LPG cylinders outside gas agencies may appear, at first glance, like a familiar Indian scene. Yet in moments of geopolitical tension, these queues tell a deeper story—one that begins far from our kitchens. It begins thousands of kilometres away in a narrow stretch of water between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula known as the Strait of Hormuz. What happens in that distant strait can quietly determine whether the flame on an Indian stove burns steadily or flickers with uncertainty.
Is the CNG crisis real?
In recent weeks, the sight of consumers waiting anxiously to refill their cooking gas cylinders has raised an obvious question: is India facing an LPG shortage, or are people simply reacting to uncertainty? The truth may lie somewhere in between. Some households may genuinely be running out of cooking gas, while others are trying to secure an extra cylinder as a precaution during uncertain times. However, advance purchasing has its limits. LPG cylinders in India are usually supplied through an exchange system, meaning consumers must return an empty cylinder before receiving a filled one. This makes large-scale hoarding difficult.
Remain cautiously optimistic
Observations from consumers and workers at local gas agencies suggest another possibility—that cylinders are not reaching distribution centres in sufficient numbers. At the same time, there has been no official confirmation of a nationwide shortage. The government has assured citizens that LPG supplies remain under control, and reports indicate that ships carrying LPG are already on their way to India through the Strait of Hormuz. For now, these assurances allow households to remain cautiously optimistic that cooking gas will continue to reach Indian kitchens.
How much LPG India Imports
Yet the anxiety itself reveals something important about India’s energy dependence. The country imports roughly 60 percent of the LPG it consumes. Much of this imported LPG comes from countries in the Persian Gulf—particularly the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Tankers carrying LPG from these countries must pass through the Strait of Hormuz before entering the Arabian Sea and heading toward Indian ports. About 80 to 85 percent of India’s LPG imports depend on this narrow maritime passage.
The unignorable Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically significant waterways in the world. It connects the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes and is bordered by Iran on one side and Oman and the United Arab Emirates on the other. Despite being only a few dozen kilometres wide at its narrowest point, it carries a massive share of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Any geopolitical tension in this region can disrupt maritime traffic, increase shipping insurance costs and delay the movement of energy supplies. For a country like India, which relies heavily on imported fuels, such disruptions can quickly translate into domestic anxiety.
Only 4.5% PNG connection in India
Understanding this vulnerability also requires a look at how cooking fuel is distributed within India. The vast majority of households rely on LPG cylinders. Today there are around 33 crore LPG connections across the country. This widespread adoption was accelerated by the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which provided LPG connections to millions of low-income households over the past decade. By comparison, piped natural gas (PNG) connections are far fewer—roughly between one and one and a half crore.
Advantage of LPG connection in households
LPG has one crucial advantage: portability. Because it can be stored in cylinders in liquid form, it can be transported by truck to almost any part of the country, including remote villages and mountainous regions. PNG, on the other hand, requires an extensive network of pipelines connecting gas sources to cities and households. While pipeline gas offers convenience and continuous supply, building such infrastructure across a vast and geographically diverse country like India is both time-consuming and expensive.
| Type of Cooking Gas | Number of Connections |
|---|---|
| LPG cylinder connections | ~33 crore (330 million) |
| PNG pipeline connections | ~1.5–1.6 crore (15–16 million) |
PNG connection only in few major cities
For this reason, PNG concentrates in major urban centres such as Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram and Thiruvananthapuram. Expanding the pipeline network will take years of investment and planning. Until then, LPG cylinders will remain the backbone of India’s domestic cooking fuel system.
why can’t India switch to electric cooking or piped gas
Comparisons with other countries often lead to the question: why can’t India switch to electric cooking or piped gas like the United States or Canada? In the United States, many homes are connected to natural gas pipelines, while Canada relies heavily on electric cooking in cities and natural gas or propane in rural areas. India’s situation, however, is different. A large-scale shift to electric cooking would require significant increases in electricity generation, stronger distribution infrastructure and reliable power supply across both urban and rural regions. Many homes are also not wired to handle the heavy electrical load required for high-powered cooking appliances.
Comparison: LPG vs PNG in India
| Factor | LPG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Number of households | ~33 crore | ~1.5 crore |
| Coverage | Almost entire country | Mostly cities |
| Supply method | Cylinders delivered by truck | Underground pipelines |
| Dominance | Main cooking fuel | Growing but still small |
Alternative to LPG Connection
That said, alternatives to LPG do exist and can play a role during supply disruptions. In urban areas where pipelines are available, PNG can reduce dependence on cylinder deliveries. Electric appliances such as induction cooktops, microwave ovens and rice cookers can supplement traditional gas cooking. Some communities have also experimented with biogas systems that convert organic waste into cooking fuel. In Delhi, for instance, Sulabh Shauchalaya produces biogas for cooking from human waste.
Top 5 States with Highest PNG Connections in India
| Rank | State | Approx. PNG Household Connections |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Maharashtra | ~40 lakh |
| 2️⃣ | Gujarat | ~36 lakh |
| 3️⃣ | Uttar Pradesh | ~20 lakh |
| 4️⃣ | Delhi (NCT) | ~12–13 lakh |
| 5️⃣ | Haryana | ~7–8 lakh |
Tips to save LPG while cooking
Even without switching fuels, households can adopt simple measures to stretch their LPG supply. Using pressure cookers, limiting excess water while boiling food, cooking multiple dishes at once and keeping burners clean can all reduce fuel consumption. Cooking styles also matter. One-pot meals such as khichdi, pulao or sambar rice use less energy than preparing several dishes separately. Steamed foods like idli or dhokla are similarly efficient.
Creative solutions in times of crisis
Crises, real or perceived, often reveal how societies adapt. Indians have become familiar with such moments—from queuing outside banks during demonetization to searching desperately for oxygen cylinders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each time, citizens responded with a mix of improvisation, resilience and “jugaad” the ability to find creative solutions in difficult circumstances.
| Western Countries | India |
|---|---|
| Extensive natural gas pipelines | Limited pipeline coverage |
| Reliable electricity for cooking | LPG faster and reliable |
| Smaller rural populations | Many remote villages |
| Early infrastructure development | LPG cylinders easier to distribute |
Global events influence everyday life
The present concern over LPG supply may ultimately prove temporary. Ships continue to move through the Strait of Hormuz, and the government maintains that supplies remain stable. Yet the episode serves as a reminder of how deeply global events can influence everyday life in India. A geopolitical tension thousands of kilometres away can ripple through energy markets, shipping lanes and supply chains before finally appearing in the form of a queue outside a neighbourhood gas agency.
| Country | Main Cooking Fuel |
|---|---|
| India | LPG cylinders |
| USA | Natural gas or electricity |
| Canada | Natural gas, electricity, propane in rural areas |
Always have a Plan B
If there is a lesson in this moment, it is the importance of preparedness. Diversifying energy sources, expanding pipeline networks, strengthening renewable alternatives and encouraging efficient consumption can reduce vulnerability in the long term. Every crisis also underscores the need for a simple principle: whether it is the Government or an individual, everyone should always have a Plan B.
Conclusion
Because in a country of more than a billion people, the steady flame of a kitchen stove is more than a domestic convenience—it is a symbol of stability. And ensuring that flame continues to burn requires not only ships crossing distant seas, but also foresight, resilience and thoughtful energy planning at home.
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