The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is hitting Surat, Gujarat, hard. Many migrant workers are leaving the city due to a critical shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Crowds have been spotted at Udhna Railway Station as workers scramble to return to their home villages.
Despite having jobs in local industries, many say they can’t afford cooking gas. Reports indicate that LPG prices have skyrocketed, reaching around ₹500 per kilogram. For many families, this price makes daily cooking impractical and has left them unable to prepare meals for days.
“We haven’t received gas for many days,” one worker shared. “We have no money and no support here; we’ll go back once supplies come back.”
Another migrant confirmed her family hasn’t procured any LPG for over two weeks. They chose to leave even though they were still employed. Adding to their woes, landlords in some areas have banned firewood cooking, making it even tougher for families trying to survive.
Surat relies heavily on migrant laborers, particularly in its textile sector. This sudden return could lead to production halts if the trend continues.
The shortage stems from global supply issues connected to rising tensions in West Asia, particularly disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial passage for energy shipments.
The Government of India is taking steps to address these challenges. They’ve announced a financial relief package worth ₹497 crore aimed at supporting exporters facing disruptions due to the crisis. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that Indian officials are actively communicating with international partners regarding energy security and ensuring the safety of Indian nationals abroad.
In a bit of good news, officials confirmed that two Indian-flagged LPG carriers—MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi—safely reached India after successfully navigating through the Strait of Hormuz with over 92,000 metric tonnes of LPG onboard.