India is facing one of its most severe cooking gas supply disruptions in decades, as the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war has choked the Strait of Hormuz — the critical chokepoint through which over 90% of India’s imported LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) travels. With the war entering its 19th day on March 18, 2026, and Iran showing no signs of reopening the Strait for normal shipping traffic, millions of Indian households are experiencing the direct consequences of a war being fought thousands of kilometres away.

India imports approximately 60% of its total LPG requirement. Of this, a staggering 90% passes through the Strait of Hormuz. This makes India one of the most vulnerable countries in Asia to any disruption in the Strait. The current war has created just that — a major, sustained disruption that is sending shockwaves through India’s energy infrastructure and household supply chains.

What Is Happening on the Ground in India?

Across cities and towns in India, LPG dealers are reporting unusually high demand as consumers rush to book extra cylinders. The petroleum ministry has formally urged citizens not to panic-buy cylinders, warning that hoarding will worsen the situation and harm the most vulnerable households.

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have been working in coordination with international maritime agencies to ensure the safe passage of LPG tankers through the Strait. On March 17, the Indian vessel Nanda Devi, a key LPG carrier, successfully returned to Indian shores after transiting through the Hormuz Strait — a moment that brought temporary relief to worried energy officials.

However, the safe passage of one vessel does not solve the systemic problem. Iran has explicitly stated that it has no intention of lifting its grip on the Hormuz Strait, and fresh drone and missile attacks in the Gulf region on March 18 have further complicated shipping logistics.

Government’s Emergency Measures

The Indian government has taken a series of emergency steps to manage the crisis:

Refinery Output Boost: On March 8, 2026, the government issued orders to all oil refineries across India to maximise LPG production. This is aimed at reducing dependence on imported LPG in the short term.

Priority for Essential Services: For non-domestic LPG users, priority is being given to hospitals, educational institutions, and other essential services. Commercial establishments and non-essential consumers are being asked to manage with reduced allocations.

Cost Absorption: The government has absorbed a significant portion of the increased LPG procurement cost, ensuring that retail prices for household consumers have not seen catastrophic increases. This, however, is putting considerable strain on government finances.

Inspections of LPG Distributors: The petroleum ministry announced on March 18 that 2,300 surprise inspections have been carried out on LPG distributors across India to prevent black-marketing and artificial shortages.

International Coordination: India’s Ministry of External Affairs is in active diplomatic contact with Gulf nations and the United States to secure safe corridors for LPG tankers.

Impact on Different Regions of India

Rural India is being hit the hardest. In villages where there are no alternatives to LPG for cooking, the shortage is causing genuine hardship. In semi-urban areas, consumers are switching to firewood and biomass, raising serious health and environmental concerns.

In metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, the situation is more manageable due to stronger distribution networks, but dealers report wait times for cylinder deliveries have stretched from the usual 24 hours to 3-4 days in many areas.

North-eastern states, which are more logistically challenged, are reporting some of the worst shortages. The government has committed to airlifting LPG cylinders to the most severely affected states if the situation deteriorates further.

Why the Hormuz Strait Matters So Much

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, through which approximately 21 million barrels of oil and vast quantities of LPG pass every day — roughly 20-21% of the world’s total petroleum liquids. For Asian countries like India, Japan, South Korea, and China, the Strait is not just important; it is existential for energy security.

India’s total LPG consumption stands at approximately 30 million metric tonnes per year. With domestic production meeting only 40% of this need, any disruption in the Strait creates an immediate crisis. Alternative shipping routes around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa are possible but add weeks to delivery times and significantly increase costs.

What Happens If the Crisis Continues?

Energy economists warn that if the Hormuz Strait remains blocked or severely disrupted for more than 30 days, India could face:

• LPG price hikes of 30-50% at the retail level
• Acute shortages in rural areas leading to cooking energy poverty
• A shift to more polluting cooking fuels, reversing years of PM Ujjwala Yojana progress
• Significant strain on government subsidies and foreign exchange reserves
• Inflationary pressure on food prices due to higher cooking and transportation costs

The Ujjwala Yojana, the central government’s flagship scheme that provided free LPG connections to over 90 million poor households, could face serious setbacks if LPG supply remains constrained and unaffordable.

Outlook

India’s energy security planners are now urgently reviewing the country’s LPG import diversification strategy. There are growing calls to accelerate India’s domestic gas production, expand LNG import capacity, and fast-track the development of alternative clean cooking fuels.

For now, the most immediate need is for the war in West Asia to end. India, as a member of the UN Security Council and a country with diplomatic ties to all parties, has a significant role to play in pushing for a ceasefire. Prime Minister Modi has reportedly been in contact with leaders from the United States, Gulf nations, and Iran’s interlocutors to encourage dialogue.

Until the Hormuz Strait returns to safe passage, the daily reality for millions of Indian families will be uncertainty around whether their next LPG cylinder will arrive on time.