4 min readNoida/ghaziabadUpdated: Mar 11, 2026 11:28 AM IST
With factories, including many in Gujarat’s Morbi, India’s ceramic hub, suspending operations due to propane shortage, the ripple effect is also being felt in wholesale markets in Ghaziabad and Noida, where business has come to a near-halt over the past few days. (Express Photo)
As escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia are disrupting natural gas and propane supplies, the primary fuels powering ceramic kilns, traders in the tile industry in Delhi-NCR say they are left battling supply cuts and surge in tile prices.
With factories, including many in Gujarat’s Morbi, India’s ceramic hub, suspending operations due to propane shortage, the ripple effect is also being felt in wholesale markets in Ghaziabad and Noida, where business has come to a near-halt over the past few days.
Manish Aggarwal, owner of Sunrise Tiles in Noida Sector 49, said suppliers have already issued two tile price revision notices within four days. “The first came on Friday with a 10% hike, and another followed on Monday with an additional 5% increase. We’ve been told that the prices could increase further,” he said, adding that traders fear a return to similar disruption seen during Covid-19.
Orientbell Tiles, which operates manufacturing plants near Delhi, Bengaluru and Baroda, issued a notice on March 6 alerting its partners of price volatility. “Please note that for all pending orders, prices prevailing on the date of invoicing will be applicable,” the notice read.
“The ongoing geopolitical tensions and related disruptions have significantly impacted prices and supplies, along with cuts in gas supply quotas which are forcing the industry to curtail production,” the notice said.
Shailendra Saini, who has been in the ceramic business for over two decades and owns Hindustan Marbles and Tiles in Ghaziabad, sources most of his stock from Morbi. “Four weeks ago, we were told that rates had been revised, meaning consignments already in transit would cost more than originally agreed, up by Rs 500 per sq ft,” he said.
“If it continues for over 15 days, the impact will begin hitting the consumer. For now we have the stocks to meet the market demands,” Saini said.
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He added that transportation costs have also surged. Saini noted that freight charges for large trucks have risen by around Rs 1 lakh, while smaller trucks now cost Rs 40,000 more per trip. “If diesel, petrol and gas prices continue to climb, the impact will be even more severe. We have been told output is falling and that prices will rise further,” he added.
The impact of the war is also felt by daily-wage workers at the ceramic manufacturing units, whose livelihoods are now at risk.
Vipin Kumar, 26, a labourer from Bihar’s Khagaria district, who unloads trucks in the wholesale ceramic tile markets, said the work has taken a hit since Holi on March 4. “Before Holi, things were still moving. Afterwards, we realised trucks had dropped to barely one a week. We thought it was because of Holi at first, but then heard that supplies had been disrupted,” he said. “If we get three trucks to unload in a week, we earn around Rs 5,000. It takes about eight hours to unload a single truck. We’ve been sitting idle for two days without a single truck coming to us.”
Meanwhile, Rajiv Jindal, owner of Marmo Industries in Ghaziabad, said the conflict has not yet disrupted his marble business. “It is the tiles industry that is facing certain hiccups for now. But that is the nature of the business. The market is always the most important factor. We are dependent on it. We hope that we sail through this as well.”
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Mahendra Gaur, owner of Gaur Marbles and Granites in Noida Sector 49, said dealers are uncertain about future supplies. “We have heard that around 200 factories in Gujarat are on the verge of closing and that production has stopped at several units. Consumption has been low since February. My last supply arrived one-and-a-half-months ago, and I have been told all new orders are on hold.”
Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in the Noida bureau. She primarily covers crime, health, and environmental issues, as well as human-interest features across Noida, Ghaziabad, and Western Uttar Pradesh.
Professional Profile
Education: She is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai.
Core Beat: Her work focuses on the administrative and social challenges of the NCR's satellite cities. She is known for her detailed reporting on civic infrastructure (like the Noida International Airport), environmental violations, and high-profile criminal investigations.
Personal Interests: Outside of reporting, she is an avid reader of fiction (citing The Thursday Murder Club and Yellowface as recent favorites) and a gardening enthusiast.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Neetika’s recent reportage has been dominated by winter-related crises in the NCR and significant criminal legalities:
1. Environment & Public Safety
"Greater Noida Authority slaps fines on firms for violating GRAP IV norms" (Dec 21, 2025): Reporting on heavy penalties imposed on major developers like NBCC for flouting anti-pollution construction bans.
"Fatal pile-up on Yamuna Expressway: Fog, high speed emerge as key safety risks" (Dec 17, 2025): A major report on a 15-vehicle collision caused by dense fog that killed 17 people.
"At Chilla, Kalindi, DND, many fined Rs 20,000 for non-compliance to Delhi's BS-VI rule" (Dec 19, 2025): On-the-ground reporting from the borders where Noida police penalize non-compliant vehicles entering the capital.
"Driving in Noida amid fog? New speed limits in effect till Feb 15" (Dec 13, 2025): Detailing the seasonal traffic restrictions aimed at preventing highway accidents.
2. Crime & Legal Developments
"'Have you ever heard of a murder case being withdrawn?': Court in Akhlaq lynching case" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering a critical courtroom hearing where the court questioned the UP government's petition to withdraw charges against the accused.
"After losing money in stock market, bank employee in Ghaziabad withdraws Rs 64 lakh from customers' accounts" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative piece on internal bank fraud and the risks of modern digital embezzlement.
"Woman shot dead by partner in Noida: Three days on, accused still on the run" (Dec 2, 2025): Tracking a high-profile domestic violence and murder case in Central Noida.
3. Human Interest & Features
"'Had tears in my eyes': Army men walk bride down the aisle 20 years after father died in terror attack" (Dec 2, 2025): A moving story about soldiers from a Punjab Grenadiers unit fulfilling a father's duty for his daughter.
"How a Zepto delivery man heard a cry — and saved two kids dumped in Noida drain" (Dec 2025): A viral human-interest story highlighting individual heroism in the city.
Signature Style
Neetika is recognized for her meticulous follow-up on local tragedies. Whether it is a massive pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway or the ongoing construction of the Jewar (Noida) Airport, she focuses on systemic lapses and the safety of commuters. Her crime reporting often explores the psychological motives behind "crimes of passion" and the rising trend of financial cyber-fraud in the Ghaziabad-Noida belt. ... Read More
