Induction stoves vanish from stores as India grapples with LPG crisis

Amid the war in Iran and the crisis in the Middle East, there is a global shortage in the supply of oil and natural gas. India is also grappling with an LPG crisis that has sent prices soaring and sparked panic buying of both gas cylinders and induction cooktops as an alternative. The demand for electric cooktops is such that quick commerce options have run out of induction hobs in many neighbourhoods across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata. Even brick and mortar stores are facing a shortage of induction cooktops.

The government reassured the public, saying there was no major crisis and domestic production had increased. However, rising gas and fuel prices, and the extended hiatus in refill booking caused anxiety among consumers.

The government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act (Esma) to safeguard cooking gas supplies amid



reports of LPG shortages, but the anxiety and fear has driven a surge in demand for electrical alternatives. India Today Digital checked quick commerce apps like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart across major cities and found that induction cooktops had gone out of stock in many areas.

In Bengaluru, neighbourhoods like MG Road, Ashok Nagar, SG Palya, and CV Raman Nagar, there was no availability of induction hobs.

Mumbai's Powai was completely sold out too, while Juhu had low stock.

In Delhi, Greater Kailash-1 and -2, along with Kalkaji, reported out-of-stock status.

Even in Kolkata's Behala and Chennai's Kodambakkam, supplies were exhausted.

However, some localities like Bengaluru's Whitefield and Bellandur, and Kakkanad suburb in Kerala's Kochi, still had limited stock available.