Delhi HC Canteen Suspends Main Course Over LPG Shortage

New Delhi, March 11: The lawyers’ canteen at the Delhi High Court has temporarily stopped serving main course dishes due to the non-availability of LPG cylinders, according to a notice issued on Wednesday.

In the notice dated March 11, the canteen management informed visitors that it was currently unable to cook or serve main course items because of the shortage of cooking gas. It added that normal services would resume once LPG supply is restored, though no timeline has been provided.

The development comes at a time when several restaurants and hotels across the country are reporting shortages of commercial LPG cylinders, partly linked to disruptions in global energy supply following the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Amid the situation, the Centre has moved to regulate natural gas distribution, prioritising households with piped gas connections, CNG for vehicles, and LPG production units. The government recently notified the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, giving authorities greater control over gas allocation.

Officials said the measures aim to ensure equitable supply to priority sectors despite disruptions in liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. While the government has maintained that LPG stocks remain sufficient, it has also directed oil companies to increase LPG production by 10 per cent to stabilise supplies.

Meanwhile, eateries in cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Delhi-NCR have begun adjusting their menus, introducing quicker-cooking items or coal-based preparations to manage limited LPG availability.