Hospitality sector: Commercial LPG shortage hits hotels, restaurants across India
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: With the government’s restrictions on supply of commercial LPG to businesses because of the ongoing West Asian war, hotels, restaurants, dhabas, and food outlets across several Indian cities have been badly hit and several marriage functions are going without the customary banquets, multiple media reports said on Thursday.
And despite the government assertion that there is no shortage for domestic LPG supplies, customers continued to line up at gas dealers’ offices across towns and cities in what many described as panic buying. Sale of induction stoves and electric cookers suddenly skyrocketed as many rushed to take a backup.
In several cities, hotels and restaurants have cut menus, halting food item production and some even turning to traditional chulhas to keep their kitchens running.
In the ongoing wedding season also, some invitees have been asked to attend reception but ‘warned’ there would be no lunch/dinner.
The shortage of commercial LPG has forced many hotels and restaurants to scale back menu offerings, affecting both operations and revenue. In some establishments, managements are considering discontinuing complimentary breakfast services for room guests as the situation worsens. Reports said while prices are increasing, the size of the plate is being shortened at some places.
Restaurants and hotel owners are stopping offering food items that take longer to cook, to conserve fuel and sustain operations for a few more days. Some South Indian restaurants have suspended cooking popular dishes like dosas and uttapam, for example, and may shut down altogether if the situation persists beyond a week or so.
Although alternative energy sources, such as electric cookers or induction stoves, or even the firewood, exist, the hospitality sector remains heavily dependent on LPG for food preparation. Switching to other fuels at short notice is difficult, as many dishes require precise temperature control that only LPG can provide.
Shortened Menu
Even starred hotels have been compelled to significantly reduce their menu due to the supply constraints. Each LPG cylinder costs Rs. 1,800—if available.
Several food joints have dropped Chinese and continental dishes from their menus as they consume more LPG for preparation. Starters at the bar are now limited to tandoori dishes, since they are prepared using charcoal.
Swarna Sundar, Vice-President of DK District Hotels and Restaurants Association, said some hotels are closing their production activities temporarily.
