LPG AVAILABILITY AND DISTRIBUTION CHALLENGES IN INDIA: A CRITICAL STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KERALA
AUTHOR – A S ABED*, ASWIN. T. P*, LUTUFIYA M AZEES** & VISHNU S MULLAPPALLY**
* STUDENTS AT CSI COLLEGE FOR LEGAL STUDIES, KANAKKARY (AFFILIATED BY MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY)
** STUDENTS SREE NARAYANA LAW COLLEGE, POOTHOTTA (AFFILIATED BY MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY)
BEST CITATION – A S ABED, ASWIN. T. P, LUTUFIYA M AZEES & VISHNU S MULLAPPALLY, LPG AVAILABILITY AND DISTRIBUTION CHALLENGES IN INDIA: A CRITICAL STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KERALA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (6) OF 2026, PG. 449-458, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
Abstract
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has become a cornerstone of India’s clean energy transition, particularly in the domestic cooking sector. Over the past decade, sustained policy interventions, infrastructure expansion, and subsidy-driven initiatives have significantly increased LPG penetration across both rural and urban households[1]. This transition has played a crucial role in reducing dependence on traditional biomass fuels such as firewood, coal, and kerosene, thereby contributing to improved public health outcomes[2], environmental sustainability, and enhanced quality of life—especially for women, who have historically borne the burden of household cooking.
Despite these advancements, recent developments—especially global geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and policy prioritization—have exposed deep structural vulnerabilities in India’s LPG availability and distribution system[3]. The country’s heavy reliance on imports, coupled with its exposure to volatile4 international energy markets, has made LPG supply increasingly uncertain. Disruptions in key exporting regions, fluctuations in global prices, and logistical bottlenecks have collectively strained the consistency and affordability of LPG supply in India.
This paper critically examines the emerging LPG availability crisis in India with a special focus on Kerala5, a state characterized by near-universal dependence on LPG for domestic and commercial energy needs. Kerala’s unique socio-economic profile—marked by high population density, limited use of alternative fuels, and strong reliance on service-sector activities—makes it particularly vulnerable to even short-term supply disruptions. As a result, the state serves as an important case study for understanding the broader implications of LPG shortages in highly dependent regions.
The study analyzes the causes of supply disruptions in a comprehensive manner, including structural factors such as import dependence, external shocks arising from global conflicts affecting fuel supply chains, and internal inefficiencies6 within the domestic distribution network. It also considers the role of policy decisions, including the prioritization of household consumption over commercial use, and how such measures, while necessary, may generate unintended economic consequences.
Further, the paper evaluates the socio-economic impacts of LPG shortages on multiple stakeholders, including households, small and medium enterprises, large commercial establishments, and essential service providers such as hospitals and educational institutions. It highlights how supply disruptions can lead to cascading effects—ranging from increased household vulnerability and health risks to business closures, employment losses, and inflationary pressures in local economies.
Through a detailed examination of recent events in Kerala, including commercial LPG shortages, prolonged refill delays, and regulatory restrictions on cylinder usage, the paper underscores the severity and immediacy of the crisis. These developments reveal critical gaps in preparedness, coordination, and resilience within the existing energy supply framework.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive policy reform and strategic diversification of energy sources. It advocates for a multi-pronged approach involving structural improvements in supply chains, enhanced regulatory mechanisms to ensure transparency and equity, and the adoption of technological solutions for efficient distribution management. Additionally, it highlights the importance of promoting alternative clean energy options such as electric cooking and biogas to reduce overdependence on LPG. Such measures are essential to strengthen energy security, improve system resilience, and ensure equitable access to clean cooking energy across India.
[1] Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, Annual Report on LPG Consumption and Distribution in India (New Delhi, 2024).
[2] International Energy Agency (IEA), India Energy Outlook 2023 (Paris: IEA Publications, 2023).
[3] World Health Organization, Household Air Pollution and Health Impacts (Geneva: WHO, 2022).
4 Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC), LPG Import Dependency Statistics Report (New Delhi, 2024).
5 Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) Progress Report (New Delhi, 2023)
6 Reuters News Agency, “India Diversifies LPG Imports Amid Middle East Supply Disruptions,” 2026