A disruption in the supply of commercial LPG has pushed Agra’s iconic petha industry into a serious crisis, forcing several manufacturing units to halt production while many others struggle to operate with limited fuel availability.
The shortage has particularly affected gas-dependent sweet-making units across the city, with industry representatives warning that prolonged disruption could lead to widespread closures in one of Agra’s oldest traditional trades.
Rajesh Agarwal, president of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Petha Kutir Association, said the situation has already begun to impact daily production.
“The production of petha has been badly affected. Some units have shut down completely, while others are running on the few cylinders they have left. If the supply is not restored soon, more units may be forced to close,” he said.
According to industry estimates, the Noori Darwaza area of Agra alone houses around 70 large-scale gas-powered units capable of producing petha worth nearly ₹20 lakh per day. In addition, more than 500 small-scale units are engaged in the production of petha and other sweets, making the sector a major source of livelihood for hundreds of families.
The crisis has become more severe because Agra falls under the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), where the use of coal and wood as fuel is prohibited to control pollution around the Taj Mahal. As a result, manufacturers are almost entirely dependent on commercial LPG for production, leaving them with no alternative when supply is disrupted.
Industry bodies have appealed to the district administration to restore regular gas supply at the earliest to prevent further damage to the centuries-old petha trade, which has been run by local families for generations.
However, District Magistrate Arvind Mallappa Bangari has denied that there is any shortage of LPG in the district. He stated that sufficient gas is available and warned that strict action would be taken against those spreading rumours about a supply crisis.
Despite the administration’s assurance, traders say the ground situation remains difficult, and unless supply stabilizes soon, Agra’s famed petha industry could face one of its most challenging periods in recent years.