Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji
The ongoing commercial LPG shortage is affecting Goa’s hospitality sector, with hotels and restaurants scaling back operations, modifying menus and turning to alternative cooking methods, industry representatives said.
Saurabh Khanna, Cluster General Manager–Goa, The Park Hotels, said establishments are using electrical equipment to
manage operations.
“We are using ovens and combi ovens, and other equipment that runs on electricity, making maximum utilisation of these resources,” he said.
He said hotels have reduced gas-dependent dishes and altered menus.
“In some cases, we have had to restrict the menu and increase items that are tandoor-based or non-gas-based. For example, a chaat counter does not require gas. Wherever possible, for bulk cooking, we have been using the traditional chula system, using one source of heat to cook multiple items,” he said.
Khanna said the shortage is expected to ease in four to five days and added that limited emergency gas supplies are being
provided to hotels.
“It is a crisis, but not an emergency situation, at least in the top hotels we have observed,” he said.
Tourists so far have not been affected by the situation, he said, but added that rising fuel costs could have a greater impact on tourism. “If airline prices go up, it will definitely affect tourist arrivals,”
he said.
Gaurish Dhond, president, All Goa Hotel and Restaurant Association, said the shortage has led to closures and reduced operations.
“Several restaurants, including Peeps Kitchen, have closed, while others have reduced menu and operating hours,” he said.
He said hotels are adjusting services for in-house guests, including modifying breakfast menus.
Establishments with gas pipeline connections are managing with low supply, while others are
facing difficulties.
Dhond said five-star hotels may continue operations longer as they depend on commercial gas tankers, but demand for commercial cookers has increased, leading to shortages.
“We cannot shut down because many people depend on this business. We have to pay salaries, electricity bills and municipal taxes. While we cannot blame the government for everything, the least it can do is provide some tax relief,” he said.
