GasSupply – Delhi High Court Lawyers’ Canteen Suspends Main Meals Over LPG Shortage
GasSupply – The lawyers’ canteen at the Delhi High Court temporarily stopped serving its regular cooked meals on Wednesday after running out of cooking gas, forcing the facility to limit its food services. According to a notice issued by the canteen management, the disruption occurred due to the unavailability of LPG cylinders required for preparing hot meals.
The notice informed court staff and advocates that the kitchen could not continue preparing main course dishes until the supply of cooking gas is restored. While the management expressed regret over the situation, it stated that it currently has no clear timeline regarding when the gas supply will resume.
Subheading: Notice explains halt in preparation of cooked meals
In its communication addressed to the high court administration and members of the bar, the canteen management clarified that the suspension only affects the preparation of main course food items. The kitchen operations that depend on LPG cylinders have been paused until fresh supplies become available.
The notice stated that the management would immediately restart cooking activities once LPG cylinders are delivered. Until then, the canteen will operate with limited services.
Subheading: Limited menu continues for advocates and staff
Despite the disruption in cooking operations, the canteen remains open and continues to provide light refreshments. According to the management, items that do not require cooking gas, such as sandwiches, salads, fruit chaat and other ready-to-serve options, are still being offered to visitors.
These items are currently forming the core of the canteen’s temporary menu so that lawyers, court staff and visitors can still access basic refreshments during court hours. The management also apologised for the inconvenience caused by the unexpected shortage and requested cooperation from those using the facility.
Subheading: Bar association calls situation unavoidable
Responding to the issue, Delhi High Court Bar Association president and senior advocate N Hariharan clarified that the notice was not issued by the bar body itself but by the canteen management.
He explained that the canteen operators were compelled to reduce services due to circumstances beyond their control. According to him, the facility is now functioning with minimal operations, serving only a limited range of food items.
Hariharan described the current situation as similar to an austerity measure, where services are temporarily reduced in response to supply shortages. He added that the disruption reflects wider challenges affecting fuel availability rather than a local administrative decision.
Subheading: Global tensions affecting LPG supply chains
The shortage is linked to broader international developments that have disrupted energy supply routes. India relies heavily on imports to meet its LPG demand, with around 62 percent of the country’s requirement sourced from overseas suppliers.
Recent geopolitical tensions in West Asia have affected fuel shipments in the region. Military actions involving the United States and Israel against Iran, followed by retaliatory moves by Tehran, have created uncertainty in key maritime trade routes.
One of the most critical passages impacted is the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but vital shipping corridor used for transporting energy supplies from the Gulf region to several countries, including India.
Subheading: Key shipping route disruption impacts imports
The Strait of Hormuz plays a major role in India’s LPG import network. Approximately 85 to 90 percent of the LPG shipments arriving from West Asian countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar pass through this strategic route.
Any disruption to shipping activity in the area can affect the pace of fuel deliveries, potentially leading to shortages in different parts of the country. While the situation remains fluid, supply chain interruptions can occasionally have local consequences, such as the one currently affecting the Delhi High Court canteen.
For now, the canteen continues to operate with restricted services while awaiting the restoration of regular LPG supplies.