New Delhi, India — March 13, 2026
A growing shortage of LPG and commercial cooking gas in Delhi is beginning to impact weddings, restaurants, and households across the city. The irregular supply of gas cylinders has forced caterers, small businesses, and residents to make adjustments in daily operations and event planning.
Industry professionals say the shortage has already begun affecting wedding catering menus, with many families cutting down the number of food items served at large celebrations.
Wedding Menus Reduced Due to Gas Supply Issues
Catering businesses report that wedding menus, which typically include 20 to 25 dishes, are now being reduced by 30–40 percent because of limited cooking gas availability.
Many families are choosing to limit orders to main-course dishes only, while starters, desserts, and several snack items are either reduced or removed from the menu entirely.
Surendra Sahoo , a catering operator in Delhi, said irregular gas supply has made cooking arrangements difficult.
“Gas cylinders are not arriving on time, and sometimes we have to rely on alternative fuels. This increases operational costs and affects our business,” he explained.
Small Businesses and Food Vendors Hit Hard
The shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has hit small businesses the hardest, including street food vendors, tea stalls, restaurants, and roadside eateries.
Many shop owners say they have not received commercial cylinders for nearly five days, forcing them to temporarily rely on domestic gas cylinders brought from home.
Tea seller Ramesh Yadav and fast-food vendor Manoj Kumar said they may have to close their shops temporarily if the supply situation does not improve soon.
Residents Queue Up Outside Gas Agencies
The LPG shortage has also caused inconvenience for households. Many residents are arriving at gas distribution centers early in the morning to ensure they receive cylinders when agencies open.
Some consumers say they have had to take leave from work just to wait in line for gas refills.
In several cases, people have returned home with empty cylinders after waiting for hours, as supply remains limited.
A resident from the Najafgarh area, who works at a private hospital, said he booked a cylinder a week ago but has still not received delivery.
“When my gas finished on Thursday morning, I had to borrow a cylinder from neighbors,” he said, adding that he took a day off work to visit the gas agency in hopes of getting a refill.
Thousands of LPG Bookings Pending
Consumers have also reported delays in LPG delivery services. A woman from sultan puri said she booked a gas cylinder ten days ago, but the delivery had not arrived.
When she contacted the gas agency, she was informed that around 8,000 bookings were still pending, and supply was being distributed gradually.
Because of the delays, many residents are visiting agencies themselves to collect cylinders, fearing their bookings could be misused or diverted.
Rising Demand for Petrol and CNG
Amid the LPG shortage, concerns about fuel availability have also triggered a surge in demand for petrol and compressed natural gas (CNG) across the capital.
Several areas in Delhi, including RK Puram, Munirka, Vasant Vihar, Hauz Khas, Delhi Cantt, Bhikaji Cama Place, and Mayur Vihar, have reported long queues at CNG stations.
Drivers of taxis, auto-rickshaws, and private vehicles have been waiting extended periods to refuel.
However, fuel station operators say there is no immediate need for panic, as petrol supplies currently remain adequate.
Auto and Taxi Drivers Worried
The situation has raised concerns among auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, whose livelihoods depend heavily on CNG availability.
Some drivers say they are filling their tanks completely whenever possible to avoid repeated trips to crowded fuel stations.
Auto driver Robin said he tries to fill the tank to maximum capacity each time, fearing that fuel availability may become uncertain in the coming days.
LPG Shortage Affecting Festival Preparations
The LPG crisis has also begun affecting festival preparations in parts of Delhi. Residents in areas such as Shahdara, Mandoli, Nand Nagri, Krishna Nagar, and Shakarpur say gas shortages have disrupted preparations for upcoming festivals.
With Eid and Navratri approaching, many families say the lack of cooking gas has made festive preparations difficult.
Residents are urging authorities to restore regular LPG supply as soon as possible to ease the pressure on households and businesses.
