New Delhi: A deepening fuel crisis triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict is beginning to reshape life in India’s capital, with sections of migrant labourers leaving Delhi as rising cooking gas costs and job uncertainties strain already fragile livelihoods.
In Delhi’s informal settlements and industrial clusters, the impact is increasingly visible. Long delays in cylinder refills, sharp price increases, and dependence on costly informal markets have pushed many workers to reconsider staying in the city.
The disruption stems from global supply shocks linked to the war, which has affected shipments of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a critical cooking fuel for millions of urban poor. India imports a significant share of its LPG, much of it routed through sensitive West Asian supply lines, making it vulnerable to geopolitical instability.
Ramesh Kumar, a construction worker from Bihar waiting at Anand Vihar railway station, said, “No gas, no work, no savings… how do we survive here?” His sentiment echoes across crowded platforms where many migrants are choosing to return to their native villages.
Reports from multiple cities indicate similar patterns. Railway stations have seen growing crowds of workers heading home, reflecting what one report described as “overcrowded platforms” amid the LPG crisis.
For many, the issue is not just fuel availability but affordability. Shabnam, a domestic worker in east Delhi, explained, “Cylinder prices have doubled for us in the black market. We can’t cook, and eating outside every day is impossible.”
Small businesses that employ migrant labour, including eateries, street vendors, and workshops, have also been hit. With irregular gas supply, several have reduced operations, cutting daily wages and pushing workers into financial distress.
Sunil Paswan, who worked at a roadside food stall, said, “The owner shut the shop early because gas is too expensive. If there is no work, we have no reason to stay.”
However, the scale of the migration remains contested. The central government has pushed back against claims of a large-scale exodus, stating that there are “no signs” of widespread reverse migration and that overall LPG supply remains stable.
