“Classes Online, Meals Uncertain”: LPG Shortage Disrupts Campus Life Across India

From missed meals to postponed exams, students across India say a worsening LPG shortage is quietly upending daily life in hostels and campuses, forcing institutions to improvise and students to cope with growing uncertainty.

At Jawaharlal Nehru University, a postgraduate student described how hostel kitchens have struggled to maintain regular meal timings. “Breakfast is often delayed, and dinner gets pushed late into the night. Some days, the food just isn’t enough,” she said. “We are adjusting, but it’s exhausting.”

In colleges under University of Delhi, students echoed similar concerns. “Our mess shifted to induction cooking for a few days. That slowed everything down,” said a student from Miranda House. “We had classes at 9 am but breakfast wasn’t ready till 10. Eventually, some classes were moved online because students simply couldn’t manage both.”

The ripple effects are being felt far beyond the capital. In Madhya Pradesh, students at state universities reported sudden holidays being declared or internal exams postponed due to non-functional mess facilities. “There was no gas in the hostel for two days. The administration called it a ‘temporary disruption’ and cancelled classes,” said a student from Bhopal. “But for us, it’s becoming routine.”

At Visva-Bharati University, where students recently staged a symbolic protest over drinking water, frustrations over fuel shortages are also surfacing. “Some days, you’re not sure if you’ll get a proper meal,” said a hostel resident. “We are managing studies, health, and now even food availability.”

Institutes like Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and several National Institutes of Technology have begun experimenting with alternatives such as solar cookers and biogas plants. While these solutions offer promise, students say the transition phase has been difficult. “It’s not seamless. Meals take longer, and sometimes the quality suffers,” said an engineering student.

In Banaras Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University, administrations have shifted to bulk LPG procurement, negotiating directly with suppliers like Indane for priority allocations. Yet, supply gaps persist, with reports suggesting that many campuses are receiving 20–30% fewer cylinders than required.

Students say the burden is increasingly being passed on to them. “Mess fees have gone up because LPG prices are nearing ₹1,200 per cylinder,” said a student from Pune, referring to protests at Savitribai Phule Pune University. “We’re paying more but getting less.”

In response, hostels have introduced rationing measures—limiting menus, sharing community kitchens, and cutting down on fuel-intensive dishes. But these stopgap solutions have sparked frustration. “You can’t run a university like this,” a student said. “We’re here to study, but we’re constantly dealing with survival issues.”

Regulatory bodies like the University Grants Commission have urged institutions to conduct energy audits and explore sustainable alternatives. However, implementation remains uneven, particularly in rural campuses where infrastructure upgrades are more complex.

For many students, the crisis is no longer just about fuel—it’s about the cumulative strain on academic life. “When meals are delayed, classes shift online, and exams get postponed, it disrupts everything,” said a student from Delhi. “Education doesn’t happen in isolation. It depends on basic systems working.”

As campuses scramble for solutions, students across India are making one thing clear: the LPG crisis is not just an operational challenge—it is a lived reality affecting their health, finances, and future.