LPG shortage: Bought a Rs 9,000 commercial induction cooktop for Rs 23,000, says Mumbai restaurateur The ongoing conflict in West Asia has disrupted India’s LPG supply chain, forcing many households and businesses to switch to induction cooking. However, even this alternative is becoming increasingly difficult to access as shortages escalate. Retailers and online platforms are reporting a surge in demand, with stock of induction cooktops disappearing rapidly. The crisis has driven prices to unprecedented levels, with some customers paying nearly three times the original cost for basic models. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade, has been a focal point of the conflict, disrupting the flow of LPG imports to India. Approximately 85-90% of the country’s LPG supply passes through this region, leading to severe shortages. As a result, many consumers are turning to the black market, where prices for LPG cylinders have skyrocketed. Meanwhile, those connected to the PNG (Piped Natural Gas) network have remained unaffected, relying on a stable supply. The situation has prompted panic buying and hoarding, with reports of individuals purchasing multiple induction cooktops in a single transaction. A Mumbai-based restaurateur, Omkar Kandharkar, shared his experience of paying Rs 23,000 for a commercial induction cooktop that was originally priced at Rs 9,000. “I thought the shortage would be temporary, but the situation has worsened. When I went to buy the cooktop, it was already priced at Rs 23,000,” he said. Delhi NCR resident Shreya Wadhwani described the frustration of trying to secure an induction cooktop during the crisis. “I panicked and checked quick commerce platforms, but the product was out of stock on multiple sites,” she said.#strait_of_hormuz #west_asia #omkar_kandharkar #shreya_wadhwani #hardeep_puri
