New Delhi: From induction cooktops and microwaves to firewood and solar options, restaurants, street food vendors and catering businesses across the country are scrambling for alternatives as a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders begins to disrupt kitchens amid the widening conflict in West Asia.
With the government prioritising domestic cooking gas supply to households as the war disrupts global fuel lifelines, businesses dependent on commercial LPG – from small eateries to high-end restaurants – are watching the situation anxiously, with some even staring at possible closure in the days to come.
In national capital Delhi, irregular LPG supply has gripped kitchens across the city and many restaurants are left with stock for a day or two, fearing temporary closure and concerns over staff wages. Industry representatives say many eateries in the capital are trying to manage the situation through adjustments.
The lawyers canteen at the Delhi High Court On Wednesday said it would halt its “main course” menu due to unavailability of cooking gas in its kitchen. However, services resumed shortly after securing LPG supply.
At the famous ‘Chappan Dukan’ street food hub in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, vendors have begun swapping traditional gas burners for electric appliances to keep the city’s food culture alive. The shopkeepers say they will also consider adopting solar-powered appliances if necessary.
Gunjan Sharma, president of the city’s 56-shop Chaat Chowpatty Traders Association, said, “The supply of commercial LPG cylinders has been stopped. Therefore, we have purchased electric appliances and started using them.”
Similar improvisations are being attempted elsewhere, with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) asking catering units in its western zone to switch to microwave ovens and induction plates.
In a communication issued on March 10, the IRCTC asked operators of food plazas, refreshment rooms and ‘Jan Ahaars’ to switch to alternative arrangements to maintain seamless catering services for travelling passengers.
In Uttarakhand, the government has begun preparing to supply firewood to businesses if the shortage deepens, with Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal saying that the current situation resembles a crisis scenario.
Restaurant owners and vendors in places like Puducherry and Rajasthan said their kitchens are under strain as supplies dry up, forcing them to reduce working hours to manage operations.
A spokesperson of a hotel association in Puducherry said that most of the establishments have either shifted to using firewood or are minimising the working hours to manage the situation, while also opting for electric cookers. “If the crisis continues even for a day, we would be left with no choice but to close down,” the spokesperson said.
Roadside restaurants remained closed in most parts of Puducherry, while eateries have reduced their menu in some other parts.
The disruption in supply has begun to hit businesses across Rajasthan. Restaurant owners said the shortage is already affecting kitchens, while expenses on weddings are also set to increase.
According to the Jaipur Catering Dealers Committee, the city has nearly 6,000 to 7,000 restaurants and dhabas that depend on commercial LPG cylinders. Additionally, several hostel kitchens, mess facilities and highway eateries also use commercial cylinders for daily cooking.
The wedding industry is also worried as the disruption comes during an active wedding season.
