Commercial LPG prices cross 2,000-mark; will cost ₹218 more in Kolkata

State-owned oil marketing companies announced a massive hike in the prices of commercial LPG cylinders on Wednesday, directly citing the escalating conflict in West Asia as the primary cause. The price of a 19-kg commercial cylinder has seen a sharp increase, ranging from ₹195 to ₹218 across major metros. This surge follows a global trend where international oil prices have climbed by nearly 50% due to supply chain disruptions and the strategic closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor now caught in the crossfire of war.

In the national capital, Delhi, the price of a 19-kg commercial cylinder now stands at ₹2,078.50, while Mumbai saw a similar jump to ₹2,031. The impact is even more severe in Kolkata and Chennai, where prices rose by ₹218 and ₹203, bringing the new rates to ₹2,208 and ₹2,246, respectively. Additionally, 5-kg mini cylinders have become costlier by ₹51. This marks the second significant adjustment in recent weeks, following a ₹114.5 hike implemented on March 1, signaling a period of extreme volatility for the commercial sector.

While hotels, restaurants, and small-scale industries brace for increased operational costs, domestic households have received a temporary reprieve. The rates for 14.2-kg domestic cooking gas cylinders remain unchanged at ₹913 in Delhi. Oil majors like IOC, BPCL, and HPCL typically revise these rates on the first of every month based on international benchmarks; however, the severity of the current geopolitical crisis compelled this substantial upward revision to offset the rising cost of imports.