LPG Shortage Crisis: These Indian Cities Are Inching Closer To Work From Home | Bengaluru-news News

Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 12:15 IST

Amid the LPG shortage crisis, here is a look at the cities where discussions around remote work are gaining traction, both online and offline

IT major Infosys has not announced work-from-home measures but has cautioned employees in Pune and Bengaluru that cafeteria services may be disrupted. (Reuters)

A growing number of companies across Indian cities are beginning to consider bringing back remote work options temporarily as the LPG supply crunch triggered by the conflict in West Asia squeezes office canteens.

While there is no official nationwide shift to remote work, scattered measures by companies and rising calls from employees indicate that limited work from home arrangements could return in some sectors, especially the IT industry, if the situation continues.

Here is a look at the cities where discussions around remote work are gaining traction, both online and offline:

Chennai

The first confirmed instance of a company officially allowing remote work amid the LPG shortage came from HCLTech in Chennai. The IT services firm permitted employees at its Chennai office to work from home on March 12 and 13 after cafeteria operations were disrupted due to limited commercial LPG supplies.

Adding to the work-from-home measures, Chennai-based software firm Zoho Corporation has asked most of its employees to work remotely for two weeks starting March 16, citing operational challenges and its social responsibility to reduce commuting.

Employees in business-critical teams have been asked to coordinate with their managers regarding in-office schedules, while others may work from home. Zoho also noted that a limited menu will remain available for those required on-site and promised further updates as the situation evolves.

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Separately, eateries and canteens across Chennai have also been adjusting operations, with some scaling down menus or temporarily closing due to the LPG supply crunch.

Pune

In Pune, IT major Infosys has not announced work-from-home measures but has cautioned employees that cafeteria services may be disrupted.

Internal communication to employees said food courts would operate with limited menus, and workers have been encouraged to bring food from home as vendors face reduced LPG supplies.

Corporate cafeterias in major tech clusters such as Hinjewadi have also begun adapting by reducing gas-intensive dishes and using electric appliances to continue food services.

Bengaluru

The LPG supply crunch is affecting not just office cafeterias but also paying guest (PG) accommodations in Bengaluru’s eastern IT corridor. Limited cooking gas and reduced meal services are prompting some tenants to explore temporary work-from-home options, particularly among migrant professionals who rely on PGs for daily meals.

Areas such as Whitefield, Marathahalli, and Ashwath Nagar — home to hundreds of tech employees — have seen PG owners running low on LPG cylinders, forcing them to cut back on food offerings. The Whitefield PG Owners’ Welfare Association has notified residents that lunch services will be suspended for a few days starting March 13 due to the shortage.

A Times of India report quoted one PG owner in Marathahalli as saying that their current stock will last only two days, and if the shortage continues, some tenants may be asked to return to their hometowns.

PG operators report difficulty in securing gas cylinders, with some distributors unresponsive for days. With just one cylinder left, owners are serving simpler meals such as rice, upma, and vermicelli to conserve fuel, highlighting the ripple effects of the LPG shortage beyond corporate campuses.

Kochi

Early signs of workplace disruption are also emerging in Kochi, particularly at the city’s major IT hub, Infopark Kochi.

Several companies operating in the campus have begun modifying cafeteria operations as commercial LPG shortages affect kitchen services. According to reporting by The New Indian Express, some office canteens have reduced their menus, while live cooking counters — including dishes such as dosas and other freshly prepared items — have been temporarily suspended.

The issue is compounded by the wider situation outside the campus. Restaurants and small eateries around the Infopark area are also facing LPG shortages, with some shutting operations or scaling back services. As a result, tech workers who typically rely on nearby outlets for meals are finding fewer options during the workday.

Amid these disruptions, some companies have begun encouraging employees to work from home temporarily, while others are still operating normally but keeping staff informed about cafeteria limitations.

Work From Home Demand Grows

The disruptions have reignited a broader debate about flexible work arrangements in the IT sector.

Some employee organisations and industry voices argue that temporary work-from-home options could help workers manage disruptions to office facilities such as cafeterias while also reducing commuting pressure.

However, most companies continue to operate under existing return-to-office policies, choosing instead to adjust food services or advise employees to carry meals from home.

Why Office Campuses Are Affected

Large corporate campuses typically run cafeterias that serve thousands of meals daily and rely heavily on commercial LPG cylinders for cooking.

Officials have prioritised LPG supply for households, hospitals and essential services, which has resulted in tighter supplies for commercial users such as corporate food vendors.

As a result, many workplaces are experimenting with reduced menus, external kitchens, electric cooking equipment, or limited remote-work days until supplies stabilise.

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