New LPG (cooking gas) connections remain suspended across India as the Modi government prioritises refilling existing cylinders over issuing new ones. Distributors in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai have not issued any new 14.2 kg domestic cylinder connections since mid-March 2026 due to ongoing West Asia supply disruptions.
Petroleum Ministry Calls Ban a Temporary Measure
The Central Petroleum Ministry stated on social media that issuing new LPG connections has been temporarily halted because of the current geo-political situation. It clarified that distributors are prioritising refill supplies for existing consumers to keep essential services running. The ministry described the move as a temporary step that will be reversed once conditions stabilise.
Industry Leaders Warn of Long-Term Uncertainty
Federation of LPG Distributors of India (FLDI) secretary-general Pawan Soni told The Hindu that supply is currently adequate but long-term stability is hard to predict. He said nobody knows how many ships the oil marketing companies will bring in as the West Asia situation remains unpredictable. All-India LPG Distributors Federation West Bengal unit vice-president Bijan Bihari Biswas reported that each distributor has 100 to 120 pending new connection applications across the state.
Smaller Cylinders Offered as Temporary Alternative
Distributors across the country have suggested 5 kg free-trade LPG (FTL) cylinders and 10 kg composite cylinders as stop-gap arrangements. Demand for these smaller cylinders has risen in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. However, most applicants prefer waiting for a full domestic connection rather than accepting temporary options, Biswas noted.
India Shifts LPG Sourcing from Gulf to United States
Before the West Asia conflict, India imported 60 percent of its LPG needs with 90 percent passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The government boosted domestic production during the crisis to reduce the impact of lower imports. Currently, India imports 67 percent of its LPG from the United States, which involves a significantly longer maritime route compared to previous West Asian sources. The ongoing instability has prevented distributors from receiving approval to issue fresh connections. The government maintains the ban is temporary and expects to restore normal operations when the geopolitical situation improves.
