West Asia Crisis Sparks LPG Cylinder Shortage in Himachal

The ongoing crisis in West Asia has led to a notable disruption in the supply of LPG cylinders in Himachal Pradesh, affecting commercial and industrial users. Despite the shortages faced by these sectors, Indian Oil Corporation officials have confirmed that the domestic supply remains unaffected.

According to Mohammad Amid, Divisional LPG Sales Head of Indian Oil Corporation, efforts are being made to ensure that hospitals and educational institutions have access to the necessary commercial cylinders from available stocks. He added that while domestic LPG supplies continue without hindrance, a high-level meeting is underway to assess the demand and coordinate the availability of commercial cylinders.

Although the tourism sector is given priority, shortages are impacting local businesses, including hotels and restaurants. Arun Bhatia, a restaurant owner in Shimla, expressed concern as the stoppage of commercial supply has severely affected business operations. The Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurant Association has called on the Union government to address the supply issues promptly to support tourism-heavy states like Himachal Pradesh.