LPG Gas Crisis Drives Up Prices of Street Food and Daily Meals Across India The ongoing LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) crisis in India has led to significant price hikes for everyday food items, affecting both street vendors and restaurants nationwide. The situation has been exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, which has disrupted the Hormuz Strait and caused a global shortage of crude oil and natural gas. This has led to a surge in the cost of LPG cylinders, with commercial and domestic prices soaring, directly impacting the affordability of street food and traditional meals. The crisis has hit urban centers hardest, with prices for staple items like samosas, chhole bhature, dosas, and idlis rising sharply. In Delhi-NCR, for instance, a samosa that previously cost ₹10 now sells for ₹15, while chhole bhature plates have jumped from ₹30 to ₹40. Even simple items like tea, which used to be available for ₹10, now costs ₹15, and ₹20 for premium varieties. Bread and pakora, once priced at ₹15, now command ₹20. These increases have forced vendors to raise prices despite reduced foot traffic, as the cost of operating has skyrocketed. The root cause of the crisis lies in the sharp rise of LPG cylinder prices. In April 2026, the government raised the price of commercial LPG cylinders by ₹196, bringing the cost in Delhi to ₹2,078.50 per 19-kilogram cylinder. This marks the fourth consecutive month of price hikes, with the cost of a cylinder increasing by ₹498 over four months. In Kolkata, the price stands at ₹2,208, while Mumbai and Chennai see rates of ₹2,031 and ₹2,246.50, respectively. The scarcity of cylinders has further compounded the problem, as suppliers are unable to meet demand, forcing vendors to pay exorbitant prices for gas.#kolkata #delhi_ncr #lpg_crisis #iran_israel_conflict #mumbai_chennai
