Reporter: Deepak Sagar

New Delhi: A shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has begun affecting school meal services and canteens across Delhi and nearby areas, prompting several schools to request parents to send packed lunches from home for their children.


School administrations have informed parents that campus kitchens are struggling to operate due to irregular LPG supply, making it difficult to continue providing lunch and snack services to students.


Commercial LPG Shortage Behind the Crisis
According to school officials, the disruption is linked to the shortage of commercial LPG supplies, reportedly affected by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has impacted supply chains.


Many schools say that gas cylinder deliveries are either delayed or completely halted, leaving campus kitchens unable to maintain regular food services.


Schools Running Out of Gas Stock
One prominent school informed parents through a message that its catering service had only two days of LPG stock remaining.
Officials warned that if fresh supplies do not arrive soon, meal services may have to be suspended from Monday.


Working Parents Face Greater Difficulty
The situation has created additional challenges for working families, particularly where both parents rely on school meal facilities for their children.


A parent, Siddharth Malhotra, said he chose the school partly because it provided meal services.
“Both of us work full-time, and the availability of meals in school makes daily routines easier. Children also tend to eat better when they have meals with their classmates,” he said.


School Canteens May Shut Services
School managements have said that uncertain LPG supplies are making it difficult to plan kitchen operations.
Several canteens have already reduced their services.
Some schools have warned that meal services may be suspended entirely if the supply situation does not improve soon.


LPG Supply Nearly Halted
According to Shashi Kant Sharma, Vice-President of the Federation of LPG Distributors of India, the supply of commercial LPG has almost come to a standstill.
“No new stock has arrived since Saturday. We are in constant contact with the authorities and are trying to restore normal supply,” he said.


Government Assures Support
Authorities have assured that schools and hospitals will be prioritised for LPG supply, though on the ground the situation has not yet fully stabilised.


Key Highlights
Commercial LPG shortage affecting school kitchens and meal services.
Schools urging parents to send tiffin from home.
Working parents facing increased difficulties.
Canteens may shut services if supply does not improve