‘The Situation is Dire’: War on Iran Squeezes India's Cooking-Gas Availability.

The repercussions of a military engagement being fought nearly 3,000km away are now impacting India's households.

As US-Israeli strikes on Iran impede energy deliveries through the key maritime chokepoint, availability of cooking gas are dwindling across India, forcing restaurants to shorten food lists, shorten hours and in some cases cease operations entirely.

Social media is filled with video clips showing queues outside fuel suppliers across Indian cities and towns as concerns over fuel supplies escalate. Commercial LPG users appear the most affected: the biggest crunch is in food service establishments.

"The situation is dire. Cooking gas simply cannot be found," says a spokesperson of the an industry group.

Most eateries run either on industrial fuel canisters or pipeline-supplied fuel, and the scarcities are now being noticed across the country. "Many restaurants have closed - some in northern India, many in the southern region. People are turning to traditional burners and electric cookers to keep their operations going."

Localized Effects

In Mumbai, media reports say up to a fifth of hotels and restaurants are already operating at reduced capacity as commercial LPG supplies dwindle. In the southern cities of Bangalore and Madras, some restaurants say their fuel reserves have shrunk with minimal reserves. "Our menu is reduced to coffee and no food items - it is extremely difficult. Commerce will take a hit," says a business operator in Bengaluru.

Restaurant owners are rushing to adjust. "Offering lists are shrinking, some are skipping midday meals and reducing hours," an industry representative says, adding that stoppages are changing as supplies wax and wane. "A number of eateries in Delhi were shut yesterday - two have already reopened. It's a changing landscape."

Retailers report a increase in sales of electronic cooking appliances, with some saying they are facing stockouts.

Government Stance

Yet, the government maintains there is adequate supply.

India has more than 300 million home fuel subscribers and officials say cylinders are being reallocated to households as conflict-related stress from the war in the Gulf impact energy markets.

About 60% of India's LPG is sourced from abroad, and about 90% of those shipments pass through the key maritime route, the vital passage now effectively closed by the hostilities.

The petroleum ministry says that it directed refineries to maximise LPG output for domestic use, enhancing domestic production by about a quarter. Non-domestic supply is being allocated for essential sectors such as healthcare and education, while distribution will be "fair and transparent".

"Some panic booking and hoarding has been sparked by rumors. The standard supply timeline for home fuel remains about under three days," says a senior official.

Widening Concern

Now the concern is spreading beyond kitchens. On digital platforms, a widely shared video from Chennai shows a lengthy, winding line of scooters outside a fuel station. "Anxiety is palpable," the text reads.

According to data from energy specialists, concerns about India's broader fuel supplies may be exaggerated.

India imports almost all of its oil. Around 50% of its oil purchases - about 2.5-2.7 million barrels a day - travel through the passage, largely from Middle Eastern nations.

Even if crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted, the deficit could be partly compensated for by higher imports of competitively priced oil from Russia, according to a refinery and oil markets analyst.

Based on vessel tracking and industry information, additional Russian crude imports could reach around a significant volume of barrels a day, reducing India's effective deficit from exposure to the Strait of Hormuz to about 1.6 million barrels a day.

"A large quantity of Russian oil barrels are currently floating on ships in the Indian Ocean and, with only two major Asian economies as major buyers, those barrels remain a available backup," an analyst noted.

Kitchen Fuel: The Primary Concern

The key weakness is kitchen fuel, commentators observe.

India consumes roughly a million barrels a day, but produces only 40-45% domestically, importing the rest - most of it through the Strait.

Refineries can adjust processes to squeeze out a bit more LPG, but even a moderate increase would only increase domestic supply to about under half of demand, leaving the country significantly leaning on imports.

In short: "Petroleum shortage concerns can be moderately reduced through diversification. Fuel availability remains relatively comfortable. Kitchen fuel stocks is the critical issue to monitor in the coming weeks."

What may be intensifying the concern on the ground is not just scarcity but uneven distribution - and the familiar spectre of panic buying.

An industry representative alleges opportunistic profiteering.

"Distributors are taking advantage of the situation - illegally trading canisters and selling them at a premium. In one small town, I heard of cylinders being hoarded and sold to the highest bidder."

For now, India's energy imports may be protected by worldwide shipping. But in restaurants across the country, the more pressing concern is simple: how to get the next refill.