Escalating tensions in West Asia have deepened the crisis of LPG across the country. While the authorities continues to denying the shortage of LPG, they claimed that school and hospitals are being prioritised, but ground reports are telling different story. Essential institutions are either completely out of fuel or are teetering on the edge of a crisis.

Crisis At Base Hospital

The LPG crisis hits Base Hospital, where two of its three LPG cylinders already exhausted. The remaining cylinder contains only enough gas to last through Sunday. If a fresh supply does not arrive immediately, the hospital will struggle to provide meals for its approximately 60 admitted patients starting Monday.

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Hospital PMS, KS Dattal, has formally requested two cylinders from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr Harish Chandra Pant stated that all requisitions from both government and private hospitals have been forwarded to Indane and Bharat Gas managers, yet the supply remains pending.

Mixed Conditions At Other Facilities

There is slight relief at some nearby centers:

Sushila Tiwari Hospital (STH): Medical Superintendent Dr Arun Joshi confirmed the receipt of two commercial cylinders, ensuring that patient meals will continue for now.

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Women’s Hospital: CMS Dr Usha Jangpangi noted that they currently have one cylinder. To mitigate the risk, the canteen operator has also purchased an induction cooktop.

Schools Forced Back To Traditional Methods

Educational institutions are also feeling the heat. At Nancy Convent School in Jeolikote, the hostel has been without gas for five days. Tasked with feeding 700 students daily, a feat that usually requires 900 commercial cylinders a month, the staff has been forced to cook over open wood fires.

Surge In Demand For Coal And Wood

With the commercial gas supply chain disrupted, hotels, restaurants, and street vendors are pivoting to alternative fuels, leading to a massive spike in the demand for wood and coal.

Local trader Saddam Hussain reported a significant surge in sales:

Stone Coal: Daily sales have jumped from 4 to 5 quintals to 14 to 15 quintals due to its long-burning properties.

Charcoal: Consumption has nearly doubled, rising from 10 to 12 quintals to 20 to 22 quintals per day.

Firewood: Sales have skyrocketed from 2–3 quintals to as much as 12 quintals daily.