Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortages continue for the second month in a row, posing a challenge to India’s cooking gas supply.
The nation is predicted to experience a supply imbalance of approximately 850,000ā900,000 tonnes in April 2026, only somewhat less than the shortage of nearly 1 million tonnes in March, despite considerable efforts to increase domestic output and diversify imports.
Due to persistent geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Gulf region, Middle East supply interruptions are a major contributing factor to the problem. The impact on cargo exports continues, making it more difficult for India to satisfy local demand. These disruptions have shown weaknesses in India’s energy supply chain because the country is mostly dependent on imports for LPG.
The government and oil corporations have increased domestic production by about 27% year over year to address the shortage, raising output from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes. Additionally, production has increased to roughly 46,000 tons per day, and if refinery operations return to normal, it is anticipated to climb even more.
Furthermore, India has increased the number of countries it imports from from 10 to 15, obtaining almost 800,000 tons of LPG from other sources like the US, Australia, and Russia. These initiatives, however, have not been enough to totally counteract the Middle East’s supply interruptions.
In addition, authorities are enforcing demand-side policies, such as more stringent refill regulations and promoting the use of alternative fuels. Limited allocations to commercial and industrial clients are a sign of continued supply constraints.
Experts point out that this issue highlights the necessity of an energy policy that is more resilient. To lessen reliance on imports and guarantee long-term energy security, it is believed that strengthening infrastructure, making investments in alternative energy sources like biogas, and increasing storage capacity are essential.
