Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 1: Commercial cooking gas prices have surged sharply at the very beginning of the new month, increasing financial pressure on hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food-related businesses that depend heavily on LPG for daily operations. Oil marketing companies have raised the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder by Rs 111 across major cities, reversing much of the relief seen in recent months.
In the national capital, Delhi, the price of a 19-kg commercial cylinder has climbed to Rs 1,691.50. Mumbai has witnessed a similar jump, with rates rising from Rs 1,531.50 to Rs 1,642.50 per cylinder. Kolkata has not been spared either, as prices there have increased from Rs 1,684 to Rs 1,795. Chennai has recorded the sharpest hike among the metro cities, with commercial LPG now costing Rs 1,849.50 per cylinder, up from Rs 1,739.50.
The sudden increase is expected to significantly raise operating costs for the hospitality sector, including hotels, restaurants, roadside eateries and catering services, many of which were still adjusting to fluctuating fuel prices over the past year. Industry players fear that the higher input costs could eventually be passed on to consumers through increased food prices.
Domestic households, however, have received some relief, as the prices of household LPG cylinders have been left unchanged. This move ensures that the impact of the hike remains limited to commercial users for now.
The last revision in commercial LPG prices took place on December 1, 2025, when oil companies had reduced rates by Rs 10 per cylinder. At that time, the price in Delhi had come down to Rs 1,580.50. That cut followed another reduction of ?5 in November, partially offsetting a Rs 15.50 increase introduced in October.
Between April 2025 and November 2025, commercial LPG prices had seen multiple downward revisions. In total, six price cuts during this period had lowered the cost by Rs 223 per cylinder, offering much-needed relief to businesses. The latest hike, however, has wiped out a substantial portion of those gains in one move.
Prices of LPG and aviation turbine fuel are revised on the first day of every month by public sector oil marketing companies such as Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. These monthly adjustments are influenced by trends in international fuel prices and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, making commercial fuel costs highly sensitive to global market movements.