Workers load LPG cylinders in a cart, in Mumbai, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Long queues were seen at several gas agencies amid an ongoing LPG supply shortage in the country.
Rumours that the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran could further disrupt global gas supplies have triggered panic buying in several parts of Maharashtra. Residents have begun crowding gas agencies for advance bookings of domestic LPG cylinders, even as government authorities have launched raids to curb black marketing.
The situation has also begun to affect small and medium industries in several second- and third-tier industrial centres of the state. Units dependent on commercial gas cylinders in cities such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik and Nagpur have begun scaling down operations or temporarily suspending work due to the uncertainty in supply.
The impact is particularly visible in the Waluj MIDC industrial belt near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Gas shortages have reportedly forced around 40 companies to stop production, while several other units are facing mounting losses. More than 300 industries in the Waluj MIDC, including powder coating, paint and fabrication units, rely heavily on gas cylinders for their operations. Officials said the government has decided to prioritise domestic consumption by restricting supply to industrial and commercial users, which has intensified the pressure on manufacturing units. Several companies have temporarily halted production and sent workers on short leave.
Rush in Nashik
A similar situation has emerged in Nashik, where gas distributors’ outlets have been witnessing heavy crowds following reports of potential supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict.
Local authorities have curtailed the supply of commercial gas cylinders, while registrations for domestic gas connections have surged. Officials say some businesses have begun using domestic cylinders for commercial purposes, leading to the emergence of a black market.
Since domestic cylinders are not immediately available, many customers have been visiting gas agencies repeatedly to secure supplies, creating a chaotic situation in some areas.
However, the administration has clarified that adequate stock of cylinders is available and gas distribution companies are replenishing supplies every two to three days. Officials have urged citizens not to panic or hoard cylinders.
Crackdown in Nagpur
Authorities have also intensified enforcement measures in Nagpur. The Food and Civil Supplies Department recently conducted raids at multiple locations and seized commercial cylinders of 5-kg capacity from a warehouse in the Jaripatka area.
Officials also inspected the stock and distribution records of an HP Gas agency near the Vidhan Bhavan. Authorities are investigating the source of the seized cylinders and whether they were being hoarded for illegal sale.
The administration has launched a special drive to curb black marketing and ensure regulated distribution of gas cylinders.
Restaurants shift to chulha
The shortage of commercial gas cylinders has also begun to affect the hospitality sector. In cities such as Pune and Kolhapur, some restaurants have reportedly started using traditional wood-fired stoves (chulhas) to continue operations.
Ganesh Shetty, president of the Pune Restaurants and Hoteliers Association, said the situation is becoming critical. He said that the condition was very bad. “Commercial gas supply has almost stopped and there is hardly any stock available. If the situation is not resolved within two days, nearly 80 per cent of hotels may have to shut down,” he said.
While authorities maintain that gas supplies remain adequate and are being replenished regularly, the spread of rumours has created anxiety across several urban centres, leading to precautionary stocking and sporadic disruptions in industrial and commercial activity.
Published on March 12, 2026