Induction cooktops are now out of stock on almost every other online shopping platform and the physical stores across India, as the escalating war in the Middle East is forcing people to shift from LPG-powered cooktops. For the past couple of days, the ripple effect of the war has penetrated deeper into Indian households and streets as the LPG cylinder supply takes a hit. Now people are turning to the alternative options, but unfortunately, those options are also not available anymore.
Several vendors across India said that they are unable to get LPG cylinders even after agreeing to pay hefty prices in Black. As people are unaware of the duration of this crisis, they are trying to buy induction cooktops to manage till the matter comes under control. However, when they tried buying it everywhere, it was out of some. Some, which were available were priced as high as Rs 59,000.
‘Gas Agencies Are Not Taking Call’
“I am trying to book gas cylinder since last 4 days, the agency guys are not taking my call. Helpline numbers are not working. When I went to the agency, they said all bookings are online… if there is no LPG crisis, like government says then why are we struggling like this,” said Amman, who has a South Indian food shop in Lucknow’s Indiranagar to Times Now Digital. “cylinder na mila to dukaan uthani padegi,” he said.
Talking about the shortage of Induction stoves, Aaparajita, a teacher who lives near Indore hi-tech city, said, “Ab gas kya induction stove ki bhi crisis ho gayi hai(There is a crisis of induction stove also); Flipkart, Amazon sab jagah out of stock. Ab har din Swiggy karenge to ghar kaise chalega.”
Why India Is Having A Sudden LPG Shortage
India’s exposure to such disruptions largely arises from its dependence on imported LPG. About 60 per cent of the country’s LPG needs are met through imports, with the bulk, nearly 80–90 per cent, coming from Middle Eastern suppliers such as Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
The ongoing crisis has further strained logistics. Most LPG shipments from the Gulf pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a route now fraught with uncertainty amid escalating tensions. Rising war-risk insurance costs, rerouted shipping lanes, and longer transit times are all contributing to tighter supplies and higher prices.
