India, March 16 -- Restaurant owners in the city are in a bind after Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) informed them via email that piped natural gas would cost higher than usual from March 9. Though the company did not specify the increased rate, it directed restaurants to trim gas usage by 20% in light of the US-Israeli war on Iran that has disrupted oil and natural gas supplies across the world.

The email from MGL referred to the central government order dated March 9, which diverted natural gas to priority sectors.

"...please note that as per the order...there will be changes in the current price of gas due to pooling of gas. We would inform you about the details of the same as and when we are informed by our gas suppliers / government an...