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Commercial LPG black market inflating food bills in Delhi
Delhi restaurant and tea stall operators are buying commercial LPG cylinders on the black market at inflated prices, pushing up costs for meals and beverages. A Bhogal tea stall owner recalls paying ₹3,500 per cylinder in early March and closing for three days due to supply issues; by late April, domestic 14 kg cylinders were reportedly available at ₹2,000-₹2,500, illustrating ongoing price pressure. The Hindu's spot checks corroborate this broader trend across Delhi eateries.
Why It Matters
Rising LPG costs for eateries can drive up food prices and affect consumer inflation, impacting small businesses and urban households.
Timeline
2 Events
April 29, 2026: The Hindu spot checks highlight black-market LPG impact on Delhi eateries
April 29, 2026
Spot checks by The Hindu found that several Delhi restaurant and eatery owners are buying commercial LPG cylinders at higher prices on the black market, contributing to higher prices for all food and beverages. A tea stall owner in Bhogal reports that domestic 14 kg cylinders are now available for ₹2,000-₹2,500, down from ₹3,500 in early March.
March 2026: Early days of the war trigger LPG price spike for tea stalls
March 2026
Mahesh Kumar, a tea stall owner in Bhogal, says he bought a commercial LPG cylinder for ₹3,500 in the early days of the war in March and had to close the shop for three days because he could not buy even at that price.