How a Modern Energy System Faces Pressure From Global Conflicts, Supply Disruptions, and Household Needs
For decades, the soft hiss of an LPG cylinder has been a familiar sound in Indian kitchens. Gas stoves replaced smoky kerosene burners, reducing indoor air pollution and making cooking safer and more convenient. But recent disruptions in energy supply chains—driven by geopolitical tensions and global conflicts—have triggered an unexpected development: the possible return of kerosene as a household cooking fuel.
Across the country, oil companies and government authorities are revisiting the possibility of distributing kerosene through emergency channels. For many households, particularly those in regions hardest hit by LPG shortages, this could mean a temporary return to a fuel that India largely phased out over the past decade.
LPG Shortages and the Pressure on Households
India has come a long way in transitioning from traditional fuels to cleaner energy. Government programs and infrastructure improvements enabled LPG to reach millions of urban and rural homes. Yet even a well-functioning energy system can falter when global crises disrupt supply chains.
The ongoing geopolitical unrest in parts of the world has affected crude oil and gas flows, leading to localized shortages of LPG cylinders. Reports indicate that domestic LPG production has increased by 28%, but demand continues to outstrip supply. For households relying on LPG for daily meals, the shortage has tangible consequences: fewer meals cooked, increased reliance on expensive alternatives, and a sudden push toward older fuels like kerosene.
Formerly, kerosene was distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) to low-income households. It provided an affordable option for cooking and lighting but was eventually phased out because of pollution concerns and the expansion of LPG access. Today, authorities are considering whether this infrastructure can be temporarily revived to meet urgent needs.
Kerosene: The Fuel of the Past Returns
Kerosene has a long history in India. It was once the primary cooking and lighting fuel for households in rural and urban areas alike. Small stoves powered kitchens, and kerosene lamps lit homes after sunset. Yet its smoke and pollutants made it a less-than-ideal energy source, and public health initiatives over the years encouraged households to transition to LPG and electricity.
Now, in the midst of LPG shortages, kerosene is emerging as a pragmatic, if imperfect, alternative. Government sources suggest that limited kerosene allocations could be made available in areas facing severe fuel constraints. Discussions are underway with former PDS kerosene dealers to assess whether the necessary supply chains and storage infrastructure can be reactivated quickly.
While kerosene may solve short-term fuel shortages, it also comes with drawbacks. Burning kerosene releases pollutants that contribute to respiratory illnesses, especially among women and children who spend more time in cooking areas. Its reintroduction must therefore be carefully managed to minimize public health risks.
The Human Impact: Kitchens, Households, and Small Businesses
The LPG shortage doesn’t just affect urban households; it ripples across the broader food economy. Street vendors, dhabas, cloud kitchens, and small restaurants depend on reliable LPG supplies to cook large volumes of food efficiently. Disruptions force them to reduce operations, scale back menus, or, in some cases, shut down temporarily.
For millions of workers in the food and hospitality sector, fewer cooking operations mean fewer work opportunities. Delivery agents, kitchen staff, and small suppliers feel the impact almost immediately. In a sense, the energy crisis has become a livelihoods crisis, affecting both households and micro-businesses that operate on slim margins.
In rural areas, some families still rely on firewood, biomass, or crop residues as a backup fuel. While these options are available, they carry their own environmental and health consequences. The temporary return to kerosene, though not perfect, could provide a cleaner alternative to wood and biomass, while LPG supplies stabilize.
Energy Security in a Globalized World
The kerosene resurgence highlights a key reality of modern energy systems: global conflicts can have local consequences. Crude oil and gas markets are interconnected. Disruptions anywhere in the supply chain—from production to transportation—can affect availability, pricing, and access thousands of miles away.
India’s energy planners face a delicate balancing act: ensuring households and small businesses have access to fuel while minimizing environmental and health risks. In addition to ramping up LPG production, authorities are exploring emergency alternatives like kerosene to bridge gaps during crises.
Diversifying energy sources, investing in renewable energy, and strengthening domestic production remain essential long-term strategies. But when global events create immediate shortages, old fuels may regain relevance—even if only temporarily.
Environmental and Health Considerations
While kerosene offers a practical solution in times of shortage, it is not without risks. The smoke it produces contains fine particulate matter and harmful gases that contribute to respiratory problems, eye irritation, and indoor air pollution.
Public health experts warn that a sudden resurgence of kerosene could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly. Any reintroduction should therefore be paired with safety guidelines, education on ventilation, and monitoring to prevent negative health outcomes.
Additionally, environmental sustainability remains a concern. Unlike LPG, which burns cleanly, kerosene emits greenhouse gases and contributes to local pollution. Policymakers must weigh short-term benefits against long-term environmental goals.
Lessons Learned: Resilience Matters
The possible return of kerosene demonstrates that energy systems, even modern ones, remain vulnerable to global shocks. Several lessons emerge from this situation:
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Diversified energy sources are essential: Reliance on a single fuel creates risk during supply disruptions.
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Backup mechanisms protect households and small businesses: Emergency reserves of kerosene or other fuels can prevent immediate crises.
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Health and environmental trade-offs must be considered: Emergency measures should include safety guidelines and public awareness.
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Long-term planning matters: Expanding renewable energy, strengthening domestic production, and improving distribution networks reduce vulnerability to global events.
The current LPG shortages serve as a reminder that energy security is more than just production—it encompasses accessibility, affordability, resilience, and environmental sustainability.
Looking Forward
India’s progress in energy access over the past decades has been remarkable. Millions of households have shifted from smoky kerosene and firewood to cleaner, more convenient LPG and electricity. The current challenges, however, reveal that progress is not immune to global shocks.
Kerosene may make a temporary comeback in the near term, providing a stopgap for households and small businesses. But authorities are clear: this is a short-term solution, not a permanent shift. As LPG production ramps up and supply chains stabilize, cleaner fuels will reclaim their place at the center of India’s kitchens.
In a world of global uncertainty, the story of kerosene’s return is a reminder that even the fuels of the past can remain relevant. It is also a call to build energy systems that are resilient, sustainable, and capable of withstanding the pressures of a rapidly changing world.