LPG Shortage In Maharashtra: Restaurants, Hotels And Crematorium Services Disrupted Across The State

A serious shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has begun affecting several sectors across Maharashtra, particularly hotels, restaurants and public facilities that depend on cooking gas for daily operations. Industry groups warn that if supplies are not restored soon, many eateries may be forced to temporarily shut down.

The shortage has been reported in major cities including Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad and Nagpur. Similar disruptions are also being reported in other parts of the country, raising concerns across the hospitality sector.

Hotels And Restaurants Face Risk Of Temporary Shutdown

Industry bodies say the shortage has become severe over the past week as supply of commercial LPG cylinders slowed down significantly. Many restaurants rely entirely on LPG for cooking, making uninterrupted supply essential for daily operations.

According to the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) (HRAWI), if the situation does not improve quickly, nearly 50% of restaurants in Mumbai could temporarily shut down within the next two days depending on the amount of gas stock they still have.

Smaller eateries and mid-sized restaurants are expected to be affected first because they usually keep only limited reserves of LPG cylinders.

Pradeep Shetty, Vice President of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), said the supply disruption has intensified recently and has almost stopped in some areas.

20% Of Mumbai Hotels Already Shut

The Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), which represents thousands of eateries in Mumbai, said around 20% of hotels and restaurants in the city have already closed temporarily due to the shortage.

AHAR also warned that if LPG supplies do not resume soon, up to half of the city's eateries could stop operations within the next two to three days.

However, the association clarified that the decision to close operations will ultimately depend on individual restaurant owners and how much LPG stock they still have.

Industry Seeks Government Intervention

The hospitality industry has approached authorities seeking immediate intervention. AHAR representatives recently met Maharashtra's Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal to highlight the seriousness of the situation.

AHAR President Vijay Shetty said many restaurants are struggling to continue operations due to the lack of LPG cylinders. During the meeting, the minister assured the delegation that the issue would be taken up with the state government and relevant departments.
The industry is now waiting for a response after the matter was reportedly discussed with the state leadership.

March 5 Directive Triggered Supply Confusion

Industry groups say the crisis worsened after a directive issued on March 5 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

The directive reportedly prioritised LPG supply for domestic households, leading some distributors to temporarily stop or reduce deliveries to commercial establishments such as restaurants and food service outlets.

The decision was taken to ensure that household consumers do not face shortages amid global fuel supply disruptions.

Crematorium Services Also Affected In Pune

The LPG shortage has also affected public services. At Pune's largest crematorium, Vaikunth Dham Crematorium, gas-based cremations have been temporarily halted due to lack of LPG.

The facility usually operates three gas furnaces and handles about 20 cremations daily. However, officials said the crematorium currently has enough LPG left for only two cremations.

Because of the shortage, authorities have shifted all cremations to electric furnaces until LPG supply resumes.

Officials from the Pune Municipal Corporation said the gas-based units will remain closed until further notice.

Global Factors Behind LPG Supply Concerns

The LPG shortage is believed to be linked to disruptions in global energy supply chains caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. These tensions have affected the availability of key LPG components such as propane and butane.

To prevent a crisis for households, the government decided to prioritise domestic LPG supply, which has unintentionally affected commercial users.

Restaurants Rely Heavily On LPG

Restaurant owners say switching to alternatives such as electric or induction cooking systems is not practical for most commercial kitchens.

Indian cooking often requires high heat and large-scale preparation, which LPG cylinders can provide efficiently. As a result, even a short disruption in gas supply can force kitchens to stop operations.

Industry leaders are now urging authorities to restore commercial LPG distribution quickly so that restaurants and hospitality businesses can continue serving customers without interruption.