Two of the sources said the state-run gas distributor bought the prompt cargo through negotiations with a European trader at a fixed price ranging between $17 and $20 per million British thermal units.

The cargo, loaded aboard the vessel Orion Hugo LNG carrier and chartered by Shell, is expected to arrive in India around March 15, according to shipping analytics firm Kpler.

There was no immediate response from GAIL (India) Limited to a request for comment.

India relies heavily on imported liquefied natural gas to meet domestic demand. The country consumes about 195 million standard cubic metres per day of natural gas, roughly half of which is met through imports.

Before recent disruptions, India was receiving about 60 million standard cubic metres per day of gas from the Middle East, according to industry sources.

Supplies have been affected following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the declaration of force majeure by Qatar, India’s largest gas supplier, disrupting shipments from the region.

In response, Indian authorities have begun reallocating gas supplies, diverting fuel from non-priority industries to key sectors in an effort to manage the shortfall and stabilise energy availability.

Mumbai, March 10 – India ordered tighter controls on natural gas and cooking gas supplies on Tuesday after import disruptions linked to the Middle East war affected shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting warnings from restaurant groups that the curbs could force widespread closures.

The Ministry of Petroleum said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had disrupted liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy corridor for global trade. The government said the restrictions were aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of gas supplies and maintaining availability for priority sectors.

India, the world’s most populous country, is the fourth-largest buyer of LNG and the second-largest importer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), widely used as cooking fuel in households and commercial kitchens. Much of the country’s LNG and LPG imports originate from Middle Eastern producers.

Under the new directive, LNG supplies will be prioritised for households, the transport sector and LPG production. Other industries including fertiliser plants and tea producers will receive between 70% and 80% of their consumption requirements, subject to operational availability.

To offset the supply shortfall, the government said gas allocations to petrochemical facilities and power plants would be partially or fully curtailed.

Several Indian industries have already reported supply reductions. Ceramics and tile manufacturers said gas curbs could affect production as energy costs and availability tighten.

Restaurant and hospitality groups said a separate order issued on Monday prioritising LPG for domestic households had already begun affecting commercial users.

The National Restaurant Association of India said LPG suppliers across the country had signalled that deliveries to eateries could be halted following the order.

“The restaurant industry is predominantly dependent on commercial LPG for its operations,” the association said in a statement, adding that supply disruptions could trigger widespread closures.

PC Rao, head of a hotel industry association in Bengaluru, said the situation had become critical as stocks ran low across smaller establishments.

“Supply of gas has been hit and many of the smaller establishments only have one to two days of stock left,” Rao told AFP.

Larger restaurants and hotels may have up to about 10 days of reserves remaining, he said, adding that many businesses were considering limiting menus or adjusting operations to manage dwindling supplies.

Authorities said the directive applies nationwide and is intended to cut electricity consumption and reduce traffic congestion, which officials say contributes to higher fuel use. University campuses in the country consume large amounts of electricity for residential halls, classrooms, laboratories and air-conditioning systems, placing additional strain on the national power grid.

Officials said the early closure of universities is part of emergency measures designed to ease pressure on the country’s power system as energy supplies tighten.

Government and private schools in Bangladesh are already closed for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, meaning most educational institutions across the country will remain shut during this period.

The decision comes as Bangladesh faces growing uncertainty over fuel and gas supplies following disruptions to global energy markets caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The country relies on imports for about 95% of its energy needs, making it highly vulnerable to volatility in international fuel markets.Authorities imposed daily limits on fuel sales on Friday after panic buying and stockpiling intensified pressure on domestic supplies.

As part of wider efforts to reduce electricity consumption, the government has also asked foreign-curriculum schools and private coaching centres to suspend operations during the same period.

Severe gas shortages have already forced Bangladesh to halt operations at four of its five state-run fertiliser factories, redirecting available gas to power plants to prevent widespread electricity outages. The country has also turned to the spot market to purchase liquefied natural gas at sharply higher prices while seeking additional cargoes to bridge supply gaps.

“We are doing everything we can to reduce consumption and ensure stability in power, fuel and import supplies,” a senior energy ministry official said.