A shortage of commercial LPG triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia is beginning to affect corporate offices in several Indian cities. With office cafeterias struggling to operate due to limited gas supplies, some companies are considering temporary work-from-home arrangements.
While there is no nationwide policy shift toward remote work, scattered company decisions and growing discussions among employees suggest that flexible working options could return in certain sectors, especially the IT industry, if the supply crunch continues.
Here is a closer look at the cities where workplace disruptions and discussions about remote work are emerging.
Chennai
Chennai has reported the first confirmed case of a company officially allowing employees to work from home due to the LPG shortage.
IT services company HCLTech permitted employees at its Chennai office to work remotely on March 12 and 13 after commercial LPG shortages disrupted cafeteria operations at the campus.
Cafeteria vendors reportedly struggled to cook meals because of limited gas supplies. As a result, the company temporarily allowed staff to work from home.
Outside corporate campuses, several eateries and small canteens across Chennai have also reduced menu options or temporarily suspended operations due to the gas shortage.
Pune
In Pune, IT major Infosys has not yet announced work-from-home measures but has warned employees that cafeteria services may be disrupted.
Internal communication sent to employees stated that food courts will operate with limited menus. Workers were also encouraged to bring meals from home as vendors face reduced LPG availability.
In major tech clusters such as Hinjewadi, several corporate cafeterias have already started adjusting operations by reducing gas-intensive dishes and using electric appliances to keep food services running.
Bengaluru
The LPG supply crunch has also affected large tech campuses in Bengaluru.
At some campuses operated by Infosys, food court operations have been scaled back. Live cooking counters such as dosa and omelette stations — which require continuous LPG usage — have been temporarily suspended.
The move has triggered discussions among employee groups and industry forums about whether companies should allow more flexible working arrangements while office facilities remain limited.
Kochi
Early signs of disruption are also visible in Kochi, particularly at the city’s major IT hub Infopark Kochi.
Several companies operating in the campus have modified cafeteria operations as commercial LPG shortages affect kitchen services. Some office canteens have reduced their menus, while live cooking counters serving fresh dishes such as dosas have been temporarily suspended.
The issue is also affecting restaurants and small eateries around the Infopark area. Some outlets have reduced services or temporarily closed, leaving tech workers with fewer food options during the workday.
As a result, some companies have started encouraging employees to work from home temporarily, while others continue normal operations but keep staff informed about the limitations in cafeteria services.
Work-From-Home Debate Returns
The disruptions have revived a wider debate about flexible working arrangements in India’s IT sector.
Employee groups and industry voices argue that temporary work-from-home options could help workers manage disruptions caused by limited office facilities, while also reducing commuting pressure.
However, most companies continue to follow their existing return-to-office policies. Instead of allowing remote work, many organisations are adjusting cafeteria services or advising employees to bring meals from home.
Why Corporate Campuses Are Affected
Large corporate campuses typically serve thousands of meals daily through in-house cafeterias that rely heavily on commercial LPG cylinders.
During the ongoing supply crunch, authorities have prioritised LPG distribution for households, hospitals and other essential services. This has tightened availability for commercial users such as corporate food vendors.
To cope with the situation, many companies are experimenting with reduced menus, external kitchens, electric cooking equipment, or limited remote-work days until LPG supplies stabilise.
