LPG Shortage Triggers Panic Buying In Navi Mumbai; Long Queues Seen At Sanpada Gas Agencies

An acute shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has triggered panic buying in parts of Navi Mumbai, with residents forming long queues outside gas agencies in Sanpada on Thursday.

Videos circulating on social media showed crowds gathered outside gas distribution centres, with residents waiting for hours carrying empty cylinders. The rush reflects growing concern over the limited availability of LPG cylinders across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, where both households and businesses are beginning to feel the impact of the supply disruption.

Restaurants And Food Businesses Hit Hard

The shortage has particularly affected the hospitality sector in Mumbai, where restaurants, hotels and small food vendors rely heavily on commercial LPG cylinders for daily operations.

According to Vijay Shetty, president of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (AHAR), the situation has worsened over the past few days.

He stated that around 20 percent of the city’s nearly 16,000 restaurants were forced to shut on Tuesday, and the number increased to about 35 percent by Wednesday as gas supplies continued to fall short.

Many eateries that remain open have reportedly reduced their menu offerings in order to conserve the limited gas available for cooking.

Panic Buying In Residential Areas

The shortage has not only impacted businesses but also created anxiety among residents. Reports from Sanpada showed long queues outside gas agencies, with people trying to secure cylinders amid uncertainty about future supply.

Local residents expressed concern that the crisis could worsen if deliveries do not resume normally within the next few days.

Political Reaction And Protest Call

The Indian National Congress unit in Mumbai has criticised the handling of the LPG supply issue and announced plans to stage protests across the city.

According to party spokesperson Sureshchandra Rajhans, the shortage has already affected hotels, roadside food vendors and other small businesses across the metropolis.

Rajhans claimed that nearly 25 percent of hotels in Mumbai have already been forced to close due to the lack of cooking gas and warned that the situation could worsen within two to three days if supply stabilisation measures are not taken.

Protests Planned Across Mumbai

The Mumbai Congress has announced that party leaders, office-bearers and workers will hold citywide demonstrations on March 13 and 14.

The protests are expected to take place across various districts and assembly constituencies in Mumbai, with demands that authorities ensure adequate LPG supply, reduce prices and prevent rationing of cylinders.

As the LPG shortage continues to disrupt households and businesses, residents and industry stakeholders are urging authorities to restore stable supply at the earliest to avoid further economic and social impact across the Mumbai region.