Rural Fuel Shortages

There is a very big shortage of gas in our rural areas. Because of this, we have to work very hard to manage household expenses. Due to the increase in gas prices, we cook on a traditional stove (chulha). We bring fuel from the farm and cook on a chulha. And because the prices of fuel have also increased, we travel on foot.

— Pragati Raut · Akola, Maharashtra

Yes, the shortage of LPG cylinders has affected us a lot. Because cylinders are not always available on time, we sometimes use an induction stove and even firewood for cooking. Collecting wood from nearby forest areas requires extra effort and makes daily cooking more difficult.

— Sahil Singh · Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

Yes, this has affected us. In our village, sometimes gas cylinders are not available on time. Also, gas prices have increased a lot, due to which household expenses have risen. So, we use gas sparingly. We cook as much as possible on a stove and only light the gas when there is a great need. The wood obtained from the fields or cow dung cakes are very useful. This saves gas and reduces the stress of increased expenses a little. In this way, we manage this difficulty.

— Pragati Raut · Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra

I am Lakshmanarayanan. I am a weaver. Now, due to the gas shortage, cooking is very difficult. Now, we have to buy firewood from nearby to cook. They have also increased the price of firewood due to the shortage. So, it's very difficult now. Now, it's the rainy season. During the rainy season, from 5-6 PM, strong winds blow. It rains. So, cooking with firewood is a bit difficult. If there wasn't this gas shortage, we could manage a bit. Our weaving business is already going through some difficulties. Now, with this situation, life is becoming a bit harder.

— Divagar N · Parakkalur AD Street, Salem, Tamil Nadu

Yes, we have been affected by LPG availability. We have a large family, and normally one gas cylinder lasts about 30 days, but recently getting a new cylinder can take around 45 days. Because of this, we sometimes use firewood for cooking. Also, gas delivery vehicles are not coming close to our house, so we have to go to the market to get the cylinder. However, since there is a government employee in our family, the increase in fuel prices has not affected our finances too much.

— Sahil Singh · Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

I am a housewife at home. Gas shortage is very difficult for us. If our gas runs out and we book it, it takes 60 days to get it. Even if we book, it takes more than 10-15 days to get it. Also, because it's sold on the black market, we don't get it properly because it's a village. It's very difficult for firewood. Firewood prices have also increased. Due to gas shortage, firewood prices have also increased a lot, so we can't buy that either. Gas shortage is very difficult for us. Cooking itself is very hard. Don't know what to do.

— Divagar N · Kuppamuthu valavu, Jalakandapuram, Salem

In this village, the forest has been damaged a bit more than before this time. Herbs cannot be collected, and because of that, we...

— Padmini Bhoi

Effect of the energy crisis and rising fuel costs The increase in fuel and LPG prices has affected many families, including ours. Cooking gas has become more expensive, so we try to use LPG carefully and avoid wastage. In Rourkela, LPG cylinder prices have increased compared to previous months. Due to the high price we use the woods for cooking and so on . rarely use the lpg cylinder. The price of fuel has been increased so we rarely use 4 wheeler or 2 wheeler for short distance.

— Anish Toppo · Rourkela, Sundargarh, Odisha

It feels to me that in the coming times, farming remained very difficult, our work got a bit stalled, and now we can't do it as we understood previously.

— Rupesh Maravi · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

We have a water shortage even for double cropping. Due to this, we are using our own seed paddy and doing less threshing, as we have sown the paddy in the field.

— Padmini Bhoi · SKIP NO LOCATION

Yes. My family has been affected by the LPG shortage. I have one small hotel, and to run it smoothly we daily use LPG. We daily use LPG cylinders for cooking breakfast, tea, and meals. Now there are delays in getting a new cylinder and also the price are increased. These delays in getting a new cylinder has created a problems in managing my hotel. To deal with LPG shortage problem we try to use the gas carefully and avoid wasting fuel. Sometimes we use wood stove for cooking meals and breakfast. Also I am forced to charge extra money on customers.

— Rohan Shinde · Boorakunte, Sarjapura, Bengaluru Urban

Response 1: We have been badly affected by the LPG situation here in Kannur. Our last cylinder took almost 6 weeks to arrive. In between we managed with an old kerosene stove the smell and smoke was awful. The price has gone up so much compared to even last year, it's really straining our monthly budget.Response 2: My neighbour runs a small bakery and he says fuel costs are killing his business slowly. He needs two cylinders a month minimum and each refill costs more than the last. He's had to cut down on home deliveries because petrol for his bike is also too expensive now.Response 3: At home we've started being very careful. We use the electric kettle and induction stove for small things and save the gas only for proper cooking. My father drives an auto rickshaw and the petrol price increase has really hit his daily earnings. He used to save something every month but these days it's barely enough. We're hoping things improve soon.

— Shalin Sanish · Kumbam, Kannur, Kerala

Our farming activities are affected by a lack of water.

— SUSANTA PATTNAYAK · Adaba, Gajapati, Odisha

I feel that in the coming times, farming has remained very difficult, from one hardship to another. Our work has somewhat stalled, and we cannot do it anymore. It seems it was understood earlier.

— Rupesh Maravi · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

India has been affected greatly by the rising fuel costs, and I think it's not been managed properly.We do have a large reserve of certain fuels that could have been subsidized and given at lower cost to Indians, but that hasn't been the case and I think the government is also using this as an excuse to inflate costs all around, which I think is unfair.LPG somehow we have been lucky and we have been getting the LPG at least on the last day We cannot book our LPG for a month after we've got the earlier delivery.So the second cylinder is actually literally nullified, so we're working with just one cylinder and moving from cylinder to cylinder.It's quite a precarious situation.But we also have a backup of a wood stove in the backyard and some of the food we cook using the wooden stove.Food for the dogs are cooked on a wooden stove where we burn some firewood and get some of the cooking done.Helpers in our house also cook their food on firewood.

— Aditya Negi · Bengaluru, Bengaluru Urban, Karnataka

Yes, due to the war, India is experiencing a shortage of LPG. Before the war, every month we received two LPG gas cylinders, but nowadays we get only one for 45 days. Actually, we are using both LPG and wood for cooking. It hasn't affected us much.

— Anish Toppo · Raiboga, Sundargarh, Odisha

This year, it was very hot in our village. Especially during the afternoon, the sun was very intense. Due to the heat, it became difficult to do household chores. There were also frequent power cuts in our village, which caused us a lot of trouble. Many wells in our village also dry up during the summers, so there's a big problem with water. Many times, we have to go far to fetch water. To stay cool, we used to drink cold water from earthen pots. We also had to do farm work only from 5 AM to 10 AM, as it wasn't possible to work in the intense afternoon sun. To keep the house a bit cool, we put tree branches on the roof. This reduces direct sunlight and makes the house feel a bit cooler. This is how we cope with the heat.

— Pragati Raut · Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra

My name is Thanapalu. The cylinder is not easily available. They are making us wait for 45 to 50 days. Since the cylinder is not readily available, we are cooking on other stoves. They are not even providing the cylinder properly. The price has also gone up. It's a bit difficult. Other stoves are also not easily available. We are unable to cook food in any other way. And it's raining like this. It's a bit difficult. I don't know what to do. It would be fine if we got cash easily. All the prices have gone up. Even with increased prices, they are not giving it properly, they are not delivering. Anyway, they are making us wait for 50 to 60 days. It's a bit difficult.

— Divagar N · Parakkalur AD Street, Salem, Tamil Nadu

Earlier, we used to farm with plows and oxen. Today, it's the age of machines, and we farm using them. However, we often face economic problems, due to which we have to go to the city separately to earn a living.

— Ram Kumari · Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

Due to excessive deforestation, we specifically have a shortage of water. Also, there is a significant shortage of food and fruits.

— Karunakar Uthansing · Maradipanga, Kandhamal, Odisha

Due to the shortage of LPG, our work has been greatly affected. We run a fast-food shop, so we need gas daily for that. And because of LPG gases, the price of gas for commercial usage has increased from 1000 to 3-4000 rupees, which makes it very difficult for us to procure it. This has also affected our work, and we have had to increase the prices of our items. What we used to sell for 30, we now sell for 40-50 after making it, because the price of LPG has become expensive, so things will also become expensive for us.

— Anshika Saxena · Kichha, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand

It is very difficult to do farming and clean the house. We are not getting any manure. Therefore, we are forced to use fertilizer. Memnima Sundar Samita

— Upendra Kumar Mahananda

This year our village experienced extreme heat. Especially during the afternoon, the sun was very strong. Due to the heat, it became difficult to do household chores. Power outages were also very frequent in our village, which caused us a lot of trouble. Many wells in our village also dry up in summer, so there is a big problem with water. Many times we have to go far for water. To stay cool, we used to drink cold water from earthen pots. We also had to do farm work only from 5 AM to 10 AM, as it was not possible to work in the scorching afternoon sun. To keep the house a bit cool, we put tree branches on the roof. This reduces direct sunlight and makes the house feel a bit cooler. This is how we cope with the heat.

— Pragati Raut · Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra

There is an electricity problem in our village. There is a water problem in our village. Ration is not directly available in our village.

— Anand tandiya · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

Due to this Iran war, it is very, very, very difficult. Fuel is very scarce. There's no gas. In homes, it's impossible to light a stove. We cannot cook by cutting wood and lighting it. Even if we want to use an electric stove, its price is also continuously increasing. What else can we do? It's very difficult. So, in order to save fuel, we are cooking as sparingly as possible and saving fuel. The fuel that used to last us 25 days, we are now making it last for 40 days. Okay, okay.

— Urvashi Sriraman · Mugalivakkam, Chennai Corporation, Chennai

In our area, many families are troubled by rising fuel prices. The increased cost of gas cylinders has raised expenses for poor and middle-class people. Some have changed their cooking methods to save gas, while others are using wood or other cheaper alternatives. The rise in petrol and diesel prices has also increased fares for buses, autos, and freight transport. This is also affecting the prices of vegetables, groceries, and other essential items. People are now traveling only when necessary and trying to cut down on expenses. If the government provides some relief or controls prices, the common public would benefit greatly.

— Kumari Ankita · Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh

The LPG crisis has definitely affected us because we run a food business. So, we use a commercial cylinder and not a normal household cylinder, and the prices for the commercial cylinder has gone up more than the household one. So, we have to pay extra. We used to buy it in bulk but because the price has risen, we cannot buy so many of them and keep it with us. And to adjust the price we have also increased the prices of our some of our products, which has reduced the inflow of customers.

— Zainab Rizwi · Cornwallis Colony, New Delhi, Unknown

Due to LPG shortage, the prices of LPG have gone up, so we can't eat much because we have to save a lot. It's very difficult because we have to save a lot. Due to this, petrol prices have also increased. Petrol prices had increased earlier, it was around ₹100 before. Now it's around ₹108. So, if someone was putting petrol for ₹300, now they have to put it for ₹400 daily. Because of that, it's very difficult for me to manage our daily life and figure out where we are going.

— Urvashi Sriraman · Mugalivakkam, Chennai Corporation, Chennai

Women in rural and tribal areas of Odisha depend entirely on the environment for collecting firewood, drinking water, and forest products (e.g., tendu leaves, mahua). When the environment deteriorates, they have to work harder to get these things.Women are most affected during natural disasters like cyclones, floods, and droughts. Environmental pollution or climate change makes their lifestyle difficult.

— Sonali Behera

Yes, we too have been affected by the rising prices of gas and oil. Earlier, household expenses somehow managed, but now it's difficult to manage the budget every month. With gas cylinders becoming expensive, we use them very carefully. We try to use less gas and cook food quickly. With petrol-diesel becoming expensive, the cost of commuting to farms, markets, and jobs has also increased. Many people are now using shared vehicles or public transport to save some money. The impact of inflation is directly affecting family savings. We want the government and concerned departments to find a good solution as soon as possible, so that the lives of common people can become a little easier.

— Kumari Ankita · Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh

I am facing the LPG crisis because in my house the food which takes time to cook will not be cooked. Even though my father is facing issues in the industry, he is not getting jobs to do. Due to blocking of the state of hormuz. My mother and brother are working so , we are living on their incomes which is decent to survive.

— Deepak Oraon · Mahua, Vaishali, Bihar

There is a borewell problem in our village. Due to the unavailability of water easily in the fields, we are unable to grow a second crop.

— Amar Lal Dhurwey

In our village, the cold season has increased, due to which it is extremely cold, and so we warm ourselves by burning wood.

— Ram Maravi · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

. Actually in our home we are still using wood for cooking so, due to the LPG crisis I don't feel that directly affect us but yes it has affected people around our village.

— Anish Toppo · Raiboga, Sundargarh, Odisha

There is a lack of new technology, good seeds, and irrigation. We do farming, but the cost is high and the profit is low.

— VEER SINGH SIJUI · Seraikela-Kharsawan, Jharkhand

In olden times, many kinds of herbs were available in our village, but in the current situation, due to the cutting of this forest, some conservation efforts could not be made, which means for us in the coming time...

— Mohan AHARI · Sarera, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Response 1 – Homemaker: The price of LPG cylinders has become quite high and affects our monthly budget. Sometimes we think about using a wood-fired stove to save money, but during summer the heat and smoke make it very uncomfortable. We try to use LPG carefully and avoid wastage. Response 2 – Auto Driver: The increase in petrol prices directly affects my daily income. Fuel expenses have gone up, but earnings have not increased at the same rate. I avoid unnecessary trips and plan my routes carefully to reduce fuel consumption. Response 3 – Retired School Teacher: I have not experienced any LPG shortage, but rising fuel prices affect everyone. Transportation costs have increased, and the prices of vegetables and other essential goods have also gone up. Families have to spend more on daily necessities than before

— Devadharshini S · Kappalur, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

I think everyone's been affected by the LPG shortage.A lot of us have switched to electrical induction stoves, tea kettles, and other electronic gadgets to do most of our stuff and limit the amount of gas used around the house.I have been not so heavily affected by the fuel cost because I don't drive a car.I only use a bike and a cycle.So yes, fuel prices have increased.It could have been dealt with better.I think there are some states that have managed to keep the fuel prices lower and some states and cities that haven't been able to do that, and that's causing some amount of struggle.But otherwise things are just going normally.I think as Indians we have been able to adapt to survive and been able to manage a lot of these situations with different methods, and I think we're doing a pretty good job considering the circumstances.I have seen a lot of people switching to wood and coal and other fun methods for cooking.So I'm not too worried, but things haven't gotten so bad just yet.

— Aditya Negi · Bengaluru, Bengaluru Urban, Karnataka

For us, due to this forest being depleted, there are all these types of dry wood, resin, and charcoal.

— Upendra Kumar Mahananda

Baldev Singh | 70 yrs The increasing fuel prices are directly effecting farming in our area. The prices of fertilisers, insecticides and other stuff used in farming have increased substantially. Moreover, the price of transportation has also increased. This is causing great problems for the community which is largly dependent on farming. The LPG cylinder rates have also hiked. There is no help from the government.

— Harmanjot Kaur · Rajgarh, Barnala, Punjab