Small and medium industries in Pune district are facing mounting pressure as disruptions in LPG and industrial gas supplies linked to geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Iran and Israel begin to affect manufacturing activity
| Photo Credit:
Siva Saravanan S
Disruptions in gas supply amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Iran and Israel are beginning to affect small and medium industries in Pune district, with industry bodies warning that prolonged shortages could severely impact production and employment.
About 50,000 small and medium industries in the district have come under economic pressure due to uncertainty in the supply of LPG and other industrial gases, industry representatives said.
Speaking to reporters, Abhay Bhor, president of the Forum of Small Scale Industries Association, said several units have already begun to feel the strain. He added that if the gas shortage continues for a long time, small industries will face serious difficulties in continuing operations. Gas is widely used in fabrication, powder coating, and engineering and automotive component manufacturing, and the shortage has begun to disrupt manufacturing processes. Many small units have reported difficulty maintaining production levels, while some have temporarily halted operations or declared leave for workers.
Economic Losses
Industry bodies have demanded that the government restore industrial gas supply immediately, warning that prolonged disruptions could lead to severe economic losses for small enterprises. They have also sought special financial assistance for MSMEs, along with relief in electricity bills, bank loan repayments and taxes.
Several manufacturing processes in small industries depend heavily on gas-fired equipment. Powder coating and paint units, for instance, require gas furnaces and ovens, which cannot easily operate on alternative fuels.
Industrial activity has already begun slowing down in parts of the district as entrepreneurs worry about further supply disruptions.
Operational Hurdles
Addressing a press conference, Sandip Belsare, president of the Pimpri Chinchwad Small Industries Association, said, “The war in the Gulf region has created serious problems for industries.Prices of raw materials have increased and shipments of both finished goods and raw materials are stuck at ports. Imports of metals such as aluminium, copper and brass are also getting delayed, creating shortages for manufacturers,” Belsare said.
He added that disruptions in the supply of industrial gases have further worsened the situation, leaving many small units struggling to continue operations.
Sanjay Jagtap, vice-president of the association, said the industry body has urged the government to reserve a quota of industrial gas for manufacturing units to protect both entrepreneurs and workers.
Published on March 12, 2026