Delhi High Court Canteen Halts Main Courses Amid India's Commercial LPG Shortage

The Delhi High Court Lawyers Canteen has temporarily stopped serving main course meals due to an acute shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, forcing lawyers to opt for sandwiches and salads. This local disruption is part of a wider LPG supply crisis affecting restaurants across major Indian cities. The shortage stems from escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly the US-Israel-Iran conflict, which has severely impacted shipping routes and India's vital LPG imports for commercial use.

The Lawyers Canteen at the Delhi High Court has temporarily ceased preparing and serving main course meals, effective March 11, due to an acute unavailability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders. This forces advocates to rely on limited alternatives like sandwiches, salads, and fruit chaats, causing significant inconvenience and disrupting normal operations. A notice from the canteen management apologized for the disruption, stating that main course services would resume only when the critical LPG supply is restored, highlighting the immediate operational challenges.This specific incident reflects a broader and severe commercial LPG supply disruption impacting various restaurants, hotels, and eateries across major Indian cities, with reports from Chennai and Hyderabad indicating similar struggles and a shift to alternative cooking methods. The core issue is traced back to escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. These tensions have severely disrupted crucial international shipping routes and global energy imports, including LPG, which predominantly passes through vital chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. India, being heavily reliant on imported LPG for its commercial sector, is now experiencing highly unpredictable supplies and logistical challenges, which has prompted the government to consider emergency measures to mitigate the widespread crisis.