Bengaluru LPG Crisis Deepens: CM Siddaramaiah Writes to Centre as Commercial Cylinder Shortage Threatens Hotel Industry

NewsFlash Daily™

10 March

Severe LPG supply disruption hits Bengaluru hotels and restaurants; Chief Minister urges Union Petroleum Minister to restore commercial cylinder supply urgently

Bengaluru: The growing shortage of commercial LPG cylinders in Bengaluru has prompted Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to write to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, seeking immediate intervention from the central government to restore supplies.

The crisis has intensified following a recent directive from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas prioritising domestic LPG consumption, which has significantly disrupted the availability of commercial cylinders used by hotels, restaurants and catering units in the city.

In his letter, the Chief Minister warned that many eateries in Bengaluru are struggling to procure commercial LPG cylinders, and if the situation continues, several establishments may be forced to temporarily shut down operations.

Hotels and Restaurants Facing Severe Supply Disruption

According to the Chief Minister, the hotel and restaurant sector in Bengaluru is already experiencing a major supply crunch, with several establishments unable to receive cylinders even after placing orders.

The situation has raised concerns across the hospitality sector, as commercial kitchens rely heavily on continuous LPG supply for cooking operations.

Lakhs of People Depend on the Hotel Sector

In the letter, Siddaramaiah highlighted that thousands of small hotels, messes and catering units operate in Bengaluru, serving food to lakhs of people every day.

Students, migrant workers and employees who have moved to the city for jobs often depend on such eateries for their daily meals, making the LPG shortage a serious issue affecting everyday life in the city.

Oil Companies’ Supply Severely Disrupted

Under normal circumstances, the state’s commercial LPG demand is met by three major oil marketing companies:

• Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) – around 500–550 metric tonnes daily
• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) – around 300 metric tonnes daily
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) – around 230 metric tonnes daily

However, the sudden disruption in supply from these companies has created a serious shortage for commercial users in Bengaluru.

Call for Immediate Central Government Intervention

In his communication, the Chief Minister urged the central government to quickly restore the supply of commercial LPG cylinders required by the hotel and catering industry to prevent further disruption.

Industry representatives warn that the shortage could soon impact not only the hospitality sector but also the daily lives of students, office workers and the general public who depend on affordable eateries for regular meals.