India, May 3 -- The fire in commercial kitchens just got significantly more expensive. Effective May 1, 2026, the cost of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has surged by approximately Rs.993, landing at a staggering Rs.3,071.50, from its earlier Rs.2,078, making it a nearly 50% hike. 5kg commercial cylinder prices also increased by Rs.261, making it a total of Rs.810.50. For many, this isn't just a price hike; it's a systemic shock.

Varun Khera, Head of the Noida Chapter of the NRAI, notes that the industry was already teetering. "A gradual increase would have been manageable, but this sudden 50% jump is a mountain to climb," Khera explains. "It forces us to question if these prices will ever roll back? And beyond the cost, there's an infr...