Induction stoves fly off shelves amid LPG crisis in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: As anxieties over domestic LPG cylinder bookings continue to spread across Hyderabad, residents search for alternative cooking methods in panic.

In the last 48 hours, there has been a massive surge in demand for induction stoves, leading to empty shelves in both physical retail stores and digital marketplaces.

Retailers witness unprecedented demand

Local electronics outlets are reporting a record-breaking surge in footfall and sales as consumers attempt to stock up on electrical cooking appliances.

“Yes, a lot of people are buying induction stoves; our store has reported a lot of sales in induction stoves since yesterday and today. This kind of demand was not there for induction stoves before. It is usually slow,” stated a representative from Vijay Sales in Hyderabad.

This trend is being echoed by other retailers across the city, where sales staff report that the stock is depleting quickly when it comes to electronic cooking appliances.

Rs 400 price hike on one stove in 48 hours

The rush is even more visible in the digital space.

Quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit currently list induction stoves as out of stock, while major e-commerce websites are seeing a surge in demand that has pushed delivery timelines further back.

This scarcity has had an immediate impact on consumer prices.

A price-tracking analysis conducted by NewsMeter for a 1600-watt induction stove revealed a sharp inflation in just 48 hours. A unit priced at Rs 1,599 on March 10 climbed to Rs 1,972 by March 12—an increase of nearly Rs 400.

Social media frenzy

The situation has become a major talking point on discussion forums.

On Reddit, one user described the difficulty in finding a simple appliance: “Induction stoves are sold out on Amazon, Swiggy, Blinkit, and in stores. Where can I buy one? Looks like everyone has bought induction stoves in the last few days because of this LPG shortage.”

Another user shared a personal account of the market frenzy: “I went to the nearest electronic store, and they have nothing in stock, and the sales rep told me they sold 350 of them yesterday.”

Domestic supply is safe, says govt and gas giants

Despite the panic-driven shopping, energy sector officials maintain that the current fuel crisis is limited strictly to the commercial sector, while supply to the domestic usage has been their ‘top priority’.

Officials have clarified that there is no shortage of domestic LPG for households. They attribute the current booking difficulties and website crashes to a massive surge in ‘panic bookings,’ where citizens are attempting to refill their cylinders long before they are actually needed, thereby overwhelming the digital booking portals.

Oil Marketing Companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), have officially assured citizens that domestic supply remains the top priority. While the hospitality sector continues to face a genuine shortage of 19 kg commercial cylinders due to global import disruptions, the government maintains that sufficient reserves are in place to ensure that every household receives its domestic supply.