New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) Opposition figures on Tuesday expressed alarm over the escalating LPG supply crisis in India, attributing it to the ongoing strife in West Asia and demanding an in-depth discussion in Parliament regarding the nation's energy security.

Congress MP Jebi Mather lambasted the government for the reported shortages of cooking gas in various cities and questioned the ambiguity surrounding India's approach to address the crisis.

“This is one of the significant challenges we are currently confronting. Hoteliers in cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai are warning that they might have to shut down due to the LPG shortage,” she stated during an interview with IANS.

Asking about the government's readiness, Mather continued, “What is the plan? President Donald Trump asserts he has a strategy for the energy crisis; what about us? Will we rely on President Trump’s plan, or do we have our own measures to counter the LPG shortage? Is there any concrete plan in place? We lack clarity.”

Congress MP Manish Tewari noted that the Opposition had submitted an adjournment motion in Parliament to address the matter, warning that the ongoing conflict in West Asia could have dire consequences for India’s energy security.

“This is why we moved an adjournment motion yesterday. The war in West Asia and the broader Middle East presents serious risks to India’s energy security, and its effects are already surfacing. The government has raised the price of LPG cylinders by Rs 55, and shortages are being reported in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and other major cities,” Tewari remarked.

Reports indicate that India is presently experiencing disruptions in LPG supplies as a result of growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which has adversely affected shipments through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

This situation has resulted in supply shortages in significant urban areas such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Reports suggest that domestic LPG refills now necessitate a waiting period of up to 25 days, while commercial supplies to certain restaurants have been temporarily suspended.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also challenged the government's assertions about fuel reserves.

“During Question Hour in Parliament, we were promised that if any disruption happened, India would shield its citizens from the consequences. Initially, we were informed there were 72 days of stock, but it was later disclosed that only 25 days of stock reserves were available,” she told IANS.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Maji pointed out that the effects of the crisis are already evident on the ground. “In a city like Ranchi, there are long lines for LPG cylinders and at petrol stations. Hence, the government must take decisive action on this front,” she said.

Congress MP Mallu Ravi cautioned that the current shortage may escalate if the conflict in West Asia persists. “This shortage is merely the initial impact of the war between Iran, Israel, and America. That’s why we sought a discussion on measures to avert this cylinder shortage,” he stated.

Opposition leaders have been advocating for a comprehensive debate in Parliament regarding this issue, asserting that the shifting geopolitical landscape could significantly influence India's fuel supply and economic stability.