The acute shortage of LPG has pushed Kolkata back to the age of kerosene stoves. In an unprecedented trend, ration shops across the city are witnessing massive crowds as desperate citizens look for alternative fuel. At Behala’s Buroshibtala, a local dealer sold nearly 600 liters of kerosene in a single day—a staggering tenfold increase from the usual 50-60 liters daily average.

The crisis, fueled by global tensions between the US and Iran, led to a temporary suspension of commercial LPG supplies on March 10. Since then, domestic consumers have reported widespread issues with booking portals and helplines. With the uncertainty surrounding cylinder deliveries, residents are flocking to ration shops for kerosene, currently priced at ₹64.20 per liter.

While many are also switching to electric inductions, the sudden demand for kerosene has left ration dealers struggling. Since supply is strictly limited by government quotas, dealers warn that if the LPG supply chain isn’t restored immediately, the city may face a severe energy breakdown.