The petha industry in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, historically renowned for its sweet confection, is in jeopardy as a shortage of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) disrupts production. This crisis stems from geopolitical tensions, particularly the US-Iran conflict, which has led to limited gas supply for local manufacturers. Rajesh Agarwal, president of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Kuteer Petha Association, reported that most of the city's approximately 500 petha-making units have either ceased operations or are struggling with dwindling gas reserves. The industry, which relies on eco-friendly gas due to a Supreme Court ruling from 1996 aimed at reducing pollution around the Taj Mahal, has found itself in a precarious position as illegal fuel use is cracked down upon. Additionally, the decline in tourist footfall during the peak season has further strained the industry, with farmers unable to sell their ash gourd at sustainable prices. As cash flow dries up, many small-scale producers without official gas connections face unemployment, raising concerns about the future of this iconic industry.