Global Gas Shock Triggers LPG Crisis Across Gujarat

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — A sudden global energy shock has spiralled into a severe LPG supply crisis across Gujarat, leaving lakhs of consumers without cooking gas and pushing thousands of workers into uncertainty. The crisis erupted after attacks on Iranian gas infrastructure by the United States and Israel, followed by retaliatory strikes by Iran on gas production stations in Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

The ripple effects have now reached India, forcing the government to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and take control of LPG output from private companies. The immediate fallout has hit Gujarat, where Reliance Gas cylinder supplies have come to a standstill.

Lakhs of Consumers Left Without Cylinders

As per the report published in Gujarat Mitra, the halt in LPG production from Jamnagar Refinery, operated by Reliance Industries Limited, has disrupted supply to nearly 2.5–3 lakh customers across Surat and Tapi, and around 7.5 lakh customers across the state.

South Gujarat’s Panoli bottling plant—once producing 35,000 to 40,000 cylinders daily—has completely stopped operations, sparking panic among consumers and distributors.

Vinay Mehta, a long-time LPG distributor in Surat, said the disruption began soon after ESMA was implemented.

“We stopped receiving cylinders after March 9, and our stock ran out by March 11. Overnight, the supply chain collapsed,” said Vinay Mehta.

Thousands Lose Livelihood Overnight

The shutdown has triggered a massive employment crisis. Nearly 300 Reliance LPG distributors in South Gujarat have been forced to shut operations, affecting thousands of workers.

“Sixteen people work in my office alone. I don’t know what to tell them,” Mehta said, highlighting the human cost of the policy shift.

Industry estimates suggest 125–150 distributors in Surat and Tapi districts and about 300 across South Gujarat are now out of work. Many businesses that relied on private LPG distribution without subsidy have collapsed overnight.

Government Steps In Amid Rising Demand

Officials confirm that state-run companies, including Indian Oil Corporation, are now lifting nearly 10,000 metric tons of LPG daily from Jamnagar—more than double the usual 4,000 metric tons supplied earlier.

Despite the increased government supply, the sudden transition has caused chaos in distribution. Distributors met senior officials including Mona Khandhar to seek relief, but no immediate solution has emerged.

Migrant Workers Begin Leaving

The crisis has hit migrant workers the hardest. Distributors say nearly 70% of their customers in Surat and South Gujarat are migrants who depend on private LPG supply. With cylinders unavailable, many have reportedly begun leaving the region.

“People are standing in long queues daily. There is fear and frustration everywhere,” Mehta added.