NEW DELHI: The central government has stated that India currently has adequate oil and gas reserves, even as reports of fuel shortages are emerging from several regions. In Mumbai, nearly 20 percent of hotels and restaurants have temporarily shut down due to the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders.

The development was confirmed by the Mumbai Hotel and Restaurant Association on Tuesday, which warned that the situation could worsen if supply disruptions continue. According to the association, up to half of the city’s hotels may be forced to close within the next two days if cooking gas supplies are not restored quickly.

The problem is not limited to Mumbai alone. Over the past two days, several major cities across India have reported shortages of commercial LPG cylinders. Some restaurants in Delhi and Bengaluru have also begun temporarily suspending operations because of the unavailability of cooking gas. Hotel owners say the shortage is affecting their business operations and causing financial losses.

Meanwhile, authorities have also received reports of black marketing of LPG cylinders in certain areas. Commercial cylinders are allegedly being sold at nearly double their normal price, further worsening the crisis for restaurants and small businesses.

In response, the central government has initiated measures to control black marketing and stabilize supply. The booking interval for LPG cylinders has been extended from 21 days to 25 days, and the Oil Ministry has formed a committee to closely monitor the supply of commercial cylinders across the country.

India consumes approximately 31.3 million tonnes of cooking gas annually, of which nearly 62 percent is imported. Recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, have affected LPG imports. Despite these challenges, the central government has assured that the country currently holds sufficient reserves of cooking gas.