Migrant workers in India's major cities are facing a critical cooking gas shortage, prompting many to leave urban centers and return to their villages. The disruption, linked to global shipping impacts from the Middle East conflict, has strained Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplies, the primary cooking fuel for millions.
Domestic helpers in Delhi report being unable to find cooking gas cylinders for weeks. The government insists there is no shortage and is securing new supplies, urging against panic ordering. However, workers reliant on informal networks for gas are increasingly worried, with nearly 30 telling the BBC they would return home if the situation persists. Similar reports are emerging from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
Small businesses, like tea shops, are also impacted, with owners resorting to firewood. Experts warn that prolonged reverse migration could significantly affect labor-intensive industries. For many migrants, obtaining official gas connections is difficult due to frequent relocation and lack of proper documentation, forcing reliance on informal, now often closed or overpriced, refilling centers.
Limited alternatives like firewood are unsafe in cramped living conditions. The uncertainty has already led some to sell assets and return to their villages, with hopes for improvement as global conflicts subside.