NEW DELHI, MAY 1 — Commercial establishments across India faced a significant financial hit on Friday as the price of a 19 kg LPG cylinder rose by ₹993, crossing the ₹3,000 threshold. The adjustment, driven by volatile international crude oil benchmarks, brings the cost of a commercial cylinder in the capital to ₹3,071.50, though officials stated that rates for domestic household cylinders remain unchanged.
Oil marketing companies, which review prices monthly, also increased the cost of 5 kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders by ₹261 per unit. Industry analysts stated that while roughly 33 crore households using 14.2 kg domestic cylinders are shielded from this hike, the food and hospitality sectors will likely experience immediate operational pressure.
The price revision follows a period of intense geopolitical tension in West Asia, which saw Brent crude peak at $126 a barrel on Thursday. Since India imports a significant majority of its LPG, domestic commercial rates are directly linked to these international fluctuations.
“Commercial establishments will be affected as the cost of businesses in the food and hospitality sector increases,” a market source affirmed. Representatives from the restaurant industry maintained that the steep hike might force bakeries and hotels to pass on the added expenses to consumers in the coming weeks.
Authorities stated that while 80% of petroleum products—including subsidized domestic gas—have seen no price change this month, approximately 16% of products intended for industrial use have been adjusted upward. They affirmed that the strategy aims to protect households from inflation while allowing commercial rates to reflect global market realities.
