New Delhi: A senior Union government official has said India’s LPG supply chain, hit by tensions linked to the West Asia conflict, may take three to four years to return to normal.
Speaking in Delhi, the official said discussions with affected LPG suppliers indicated that rebuilding and stabilising the supply network could take at least 3–4 years. It is still unclear whether the production disruption is temporary or long-term.
The situation is increasing pressure on India’s cooking gas imports and prices. The Centre, the official said, is prioritising household LPG supply and examining alternative measures to manage any shortage.
Some contingency arrangements used during the COVID-19 period are expected to help address current bottlenecks. Options being considered include diversifying import sources beyond a single country, using alternate sea routes, boosting domestic production and managing demand.
India meets about 60% of its LPG requirement through imports. Before the West Asia conflict, around 90% of LPG imports came via the Strait of Hormuz, but this has now fallen to about 55% due to restrictions on shipping and procurement from other locations.
