Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has launched a sharp attack on the Central Government regarding the acute shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) across the country. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal claimed that the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz have severely disrupted India's LPG supply chain. He warned that if the government fails to intervene immediately, the nation could face a massive economic and social crisis. According to Kejriwal, the supply bottleneck is pushing hotels, restaurants, and industrial units to the brink of closure, threatening the livelihoods of approximately 10 million people.
Supply Chain Disruptions and Import Dependency
Arvind Kejriwal highlighted the gravity of the current crisis by citing data on India's LPG consumption and imports. He stated that India imports nearly 60% of its total LPG requirement. Approximately 90% of this imported gas reaches India via the 'Strait of Hormuz' maritime route. According to Kejriwal, this route has become virtually inaccessible for India due to rising tensions between Israel, the United States, and Iran. He claimed that Iran has restricted passage, allowing only vessels from friendly nations like Russia and China. Consequently, India has witnessed a massive 50-55% decline in its total LPG supply, leading to widespread shortages.
Deepening Crisis in the Hospitality and Restaurant Sector
Kejriwal noted that the Central Government has restricted or halted commercial LPG supplies to restaurants and hotels in response to the shortage. Due to safety regulations, these establishments aren't permitted to maintain large stocks of gas, making them entirely dependent on daily deliveries. Providing specific figures, Kejriwal stated that 20% of hotels and restaurants in Mumbai have already shut down, with the number expected to reach 50% within the next 48 hours. In Tamil Nadu, nearly 10,000 hotels are on the verge of closure. Similar reports are emerging from major hubs like Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, where kitchen operations are becoming impossible due to the lack of fuel.
Industrial Shutdowns and the Morbi Tile Cluster
The impact of the gas crisis isn't limited to the service sector; the manufacturing industry is also severely affected. Kejriwal cited the example of Morbi in Gujarat, known as the nation's tile industry capital. He reported that out of more than 600 industrial units in Morbi, 170 have already ceased operations due to the gas shortage. This shutdown has rendered approximately 100,000 people unemployed in Morbi alone. Kejriwal expressed fear that if this situation persists nationwide, nearly 10 million workers across various industries could lose their jobs. Industrial belts in Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Bihar, and West Bengal are also reporting production halts.
Impact on Wedding Season and Domestic Supply
With the country currently in the midst of the wedding season, Kejriwal pointed out that thousands of weddings might face postponement due to the LPG crisis. He mentioned that families are facing immense difficulties as catering services are unable to secure gas for food preparation. On top of that, reports of black marketing of LPG cylinders have surfaced in the market. Kejriwal alleged that certain elements are exploiting the supply gap by selling cylinders at exorbitant prices. While the Ministry of Petroleum has stated that domestic supply is being prioritized, Kejriwal argued that the cut in commercial supply has disrupted the entire economic value chain.
Geopolitical Tensions and Diplomatic Challenges
In his address, Kejriwal analyzed the international situation, noting that Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing conflict between Iran and the Israel-US alliance has turned this strategic waterway into a conflict zone, while according to Kejriwal, the closure of this route for India represents a significant diplomatic and economic challenge. He demanded that the Central Government take immediate action and ensure LPG availability through alternative supply routes or diplomatic negotiations. He emphasized that this isn't merely a fuel shortage but a critical national issue linked to food security and the employment of millions of citizens.