Middle East war causes acute gas crisis in India

The ongoing war in Iran and the crisis in the Middle East have caused a global shortage in the supply of oil and natural gas, particularly in India.

The Asian country is grappling with an LPG crisis that has sent prices soaring and sparked panic buying of both gas cylinders and induction cooktops as an alternative.

Local media reported that demand for electric cooktops is such that quick commerce options have run out of induction hobs in many neighbourhoods across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata. Even brick and mortar stores are facing a shortage of induction cooktops.

Despite government assurance that the situation is under control, rising gas and fuel prices, and the extended hiatus in refill booking caused anxiety among consumers.

The government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act (Esma) to safeguard cooking gas supplies amid reports of LPG shortages, but the anxiety and fear has driven a surge in demand for electrical alternatives.

India Today Digital checked quick commerce apps like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart across major cities and found that induction cooktops had gone out of stock in many areas.