Industry on the brink: CICU urges government for urgent gas supply to prevent MSME shutdown
The Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU) has strongly raised its voice against the worsening crisis of industrial gas supply and has written to senior government authorities, including the CMO Office and Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, seeking immediate intervention.
City Air News
Mar 19, 2026 08:53
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Ludhiana, March 19, 2026: The Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU) has strongly raised its voice against the worsening crisis of industrial gas supply and has written to senior government authorities, including the CMO Office and Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, seeking immediate intervention.
In its communication, CICU highlighted that despite earlier representations, the situation has further deteriorated due to continuous disruption in the supply of industrial gases. The crisis has now reached a critical level, pushing MSME industries towards shutdown.
CICU pointed out that global geopolitical tensions, especially in the Middle East, have severely impacted the availability of natural gas, leading to acute shortages across industrial clusters in India. As a result, industries—particularly in engineering, auto components, fabrication, and metal processing—are struggling to sustain operations.
Many units are already running at minimal capacity due to non-availability of gas, while a large number are on the verge of closure. This alarming situation poses a serious threat to production, employment, and the entire industrial ecosystem. CICU has demanded that ample gas supply be immediately allocated for industrial use.
Sharing his strong concern, CICU President Upkar Singh Ahuja said, “The current situation is extremely serious and alarming. If immediate steps are not taken, many MSME units will be forced to shut down in the coming days. Industrial gas is not optional—it is a lifeline for manufacturing. We urge the Government to act swiftly and ensure a dedicated supply for industries before the situation goes out of control.”
He further added, “MSMEs are the backbone of the economy and a major source of employment. Any disruption at this level will have a cascading impact on jobs, exports, and overall industrial growth. A minimum assured allocation is the need of the hour.”
