War Disrupts Gas, Drives India's Migrant Workers Home

A shortage of cooking gas is pushing migrant workers in Indian cities to return to their home villages. The workers report severe difficulties in obtaining liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders. The supply squeeze is linked to the conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted global energy markets. Iran is a major supplier of LPG to India. For many low-income migrants, LPG cylinders are the only practical way to cook. Without them, daily life in the city becomes unsustainable. This shortage has now become a deciding factor in their stay. The exodus highlights how distant geopolitical conflicts can directly impact the livelihoods of vulnerable populations. As cylinder supplies remain uncertain, more workers may be forced to abandon their city jobs and travel home.