New Year’s Day usually comes with a bit of a hangover, but for restaurant owners, the headache just got more expensive. As of Friday, January 2, 2026, the cost of doing business in a kitchen has spiked.
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The thing is, while your home kitchen is safe for now, the commercial world is taking a hit. Or nothing. Let’s be real, your favorite local dhaba or that high-end cafe just saw their fuel costs jump overnight. Those too.
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The “Blue Flame” Ticker: Field Notes
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) didn’t waste any time. The new rates went live on January 1, 2026, and they’re stinging.
The Big Hike: The 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder is now ₹111 more expensive.
The New Price: In Delhi, a commercial cylinder will now set you back ₹1,691.50.
Small Business Hit: Even the 5 kg “Free Trade” (FTL) cylinders—often used by street vendors—are up by ₹27.
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The “Safe” Zone: Domestic Stability
And here’s the kicker: the government is keeping a very tight lid on domestic prices.
14.2 kg Cylinder: No change. It’s staying stable, largely thanks to that ₹30,000 crore compensation package the Cabinet cleared back in August to insulate households from global gas volatility.
The Strategy: It’s an ongoing situation where the government is essentially subsidizing the “home fire” while letting the “commercial fire” track closer to international market rates.
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The Ripple Effect
Field notes from the ground suggest this isn’t just about gas.
Menu Prices: Expect a “New Year surcharge” on your food apps. When gas goes up by ₹111, that cost eventually finds its way into your Butter Chicken or Paneer Tikka.
Logistics: With the Rupee currently sitting weak against the Dollar (around ₹85.40 today), importing Liquefied Petroleum Gas is getting pricier for the OMCs. This hike is basically them passing that pain forward.
Basically, the “Domestic vs. Commercial” gap is widening. The government is protecting the common man’s budget at the expense of the service industry’s margins.
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