Indian Migrant Workers Face Cooking Gas Crisis, Forced to Return to Villages

Across Delhi’s bustling slums, Shakuntala Devi and Shakiba Bibi endure a daily struggle, trekking between shops to secure a cooking gas cylinder. For three weeks, they’ve returned empty-handed, their efforts futile. “If this continues, we’ll exhaust our gas supply and return to our villages,” Shakuntala warns.

Gas Shortages Disrupt Urban Livelihoods

Migrant workers like Shakuntala and Shakiba, who serve as domestic laborers in Delhi’s middle-class neighborhoods, rely on informal networks to purchase gas. Earning around 15,000 rupees monthly, they support families that relocated from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar over the past decade. However, the war in the Middle East has disrupted global shipping, straining India’s LPG supplies. The nation’s dependence on imports through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route—has left many in uncertainty, with vessels queued for passage.

“There was no cooking gas available. Even local restaurants were shut. I was struggling to eat two meals a day, so I had to return home,” Ashok Yadav told the BBC from his village near Ayodhya.

The government asserts no shortage exists, emphasizing increased domestic production and supply agreements with the US, Russia, and Australia. Yet, migrant workers voice concerns about escalating costs and limited access. The BBC interviewed nearly 30 individuals in Delhi, all expressing fears of permanent displacement if the crisis persists.

Shift to Polluting Alternatives

Businesses, including Sushila Devi’s tea shop, now depend on firewood, kerosene, and coal due to gas unavailability. “I’ve used firewood for both my shop and home for nearly four weeks,” she said. “Prices are rising, and it’s not a lasting solution.” Meanwhile, industries like textiles and ceramics have also seen shutdowns, prompting workers to return to rural areas. Some, like Pushpa Devi, believe they’ll avoid hunger by sharing meals with family in their hometowns.

Broader Implications for India’s Workforce

Experts suggest the current situation is “manageable,” but prolonged reverse migration could affect micro-enterprises. Arvind Goel, of the Confederation of Indian Industry, notes the risk to labor-intensive sectors. India’s 2011 census reported 54 million inter-state migrants, though analysts estimate the actual number is higher. The delayed latest census, launched last week, aims to capture this growing population, reflecting a trend accelerated by the ongoing fuel crisis.