Lucknow Restaurants and Street Vendors Grapple with Severe LPG Shortage, Forcing Closures and Operational Changes
Restrictions on commercial LPG supply are causing significant disruptions across Lucknow, with restaurants and street food vendors bearing the brunt of the crisis. Many establishments have been forced to shut down temporarily or permanently, while others are switching to alternative fuels like coal, firewood, or induction cooktops to keep their kitchens running. The uncertainty in gas supplies has led numerous outlets to cut menu items or raise prices, exacerbating the challenges faced by the local food industry.
Widespread Impact Across Key Neighborhoods
A reality check conducted in several prominent areas of Lucknow, including Rajajipuram, Hazratganj, Vrindavan Colony, Nilmatha-Cantt, Telibagh, Burlington, Phoolbagh, and Aminabad, revealed a consistent pattern of struggle. Restaurants, eateries, and street vendors are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain operations due to irregular commercial gas supply, with many reporting severe financial strain.
Vendors Forced to Close or Adapt
In Rajajipuram, several small vendors have already closed their stalls. Ayush, who started a food joint just three months ago, had to shut shop as his business relied entirely on LPG. "When cylinders became difficult to arrange and expensive, I could not manage the losses. Without gas, I cannot make burgers or other items," he explained. Prakash, who has operated a momos outlet for 6-7 years, has also suspended operations temporarily because preparation requires continuous LPG use.
Nearby, Somnath, a samosa vendor, has switched to coal and an angeethi (traditional stove) to keep his stall running. This shift to alternative methods is becoming common as vendors seek to avoid complete shutdowns.
Restaurants Resort to Induction and Traditional Fuels
Restaurants are similarly struggling to maintain functionality. Radhika Halwasiya, owner of a restaurant in Hazratganj, stated that her kitchen has shifted to commercial induction cooktops, supplemented by firewood and charcoal. Rishabh Trivedi, a restaurateur in Vrindavan Colony, reported that limited LPG availability forced them to remove several cuisines from the menu and rely more on furnaces and cooktops.
Manav Sharma, owner of a famous tea joint in Hazratganj, confirmed that his outlet is now operating on a furnace due to the gas shortage. These adaptations highlight the creative yet costly measures businesses are taking to survive.
Street Vendors Face Price Hikes and Shutdowns
Street vendors are encountering parallel difficulties. Lucky Ojha, who sells Chinese food in Nilmatha-Cantt, managed to procure a cylinder at a higher price and consequently had to raise menu prices to offset the cost. Meanwhile, Gopal, who runs a chole-bhature stall in Vrindavan Colony, has shut down after exhausting his gas stock, unable to afford the increased expenses.
In Burlington, a biryani outlet owner revealed they have only 2-3 days of gas left and may have to close if supplies do not improve soon. A nearby Chinese eatery has already closed due to the shortage. In Aminabad, a fast food stall and another baati chokha outlet remained closed, further illustrating the widespread nature of the problem.
Prolonged Closures and Financial Strain
Harsh Verma, owner of a restaurant in Rajajipuram, shared that his outlet remained closed for nearly 10 days because he was unable to secure a cylinder refill. This extended downtime not only affects revenue but also threatens the livelihoods of employees and the broader local economy.
The LPG shortage in Lucknow underscores a critical issue for the food service sector, with businesses forced to make tough decisions between closure, adaptation, or passing costs onto consumers. As the situation persists, the long-term viability of many establishments hangs in the balance, calling for urgent attention to supply chain stability.
