Firewood prices in Ahmedabad have risen sharply as higher cooking-gas costs and reported supply delays push more households towards traditional wood-burning stoves, according to a report by Gujarat Samachar.
The price of 20 kilograms of firewood has increased from around Rs 100-120 to Rs 140-150 during the current season. The report said demand, once concentrated mainly in villages and remote areas, has also increased in urban locations.
Local sources cited in the report attributed the shift to two factors: the rising cost of domestic LPG refills and delays in the availability of cylinders in rural and outlying areas. Some middle-class and working-class households are reportedly finding it difficult to refill cylinders regularly, even when they own a gas connection.
The increase in firewood demand is adding pressure to household budgets. A rise from Rs 100 to as much as Rs 150 for 20 kilograms represents an increase of up to 50% over the earlier price range. The report did not provide a citywide survey, official market data or details of the number of households using firewood in Ahmedabad.
The development highlights how cooking-fuel affordability can change household behaviour and affect urban air quality and living conditions. Families that shift from LPG to firewood may face additional costs related to fuel storage, stove use and ventilation, although the supplied report does not quantify these impacts.
The report said irregularity in LPG supply and inflation were encouraging some households to return to traditional stoves. It also cited local market expectations that firewood prices could rise further if demand remains elevated. No official response from LPG distributors or a government agency was included in the report.
