Mangaluru Restaurants Forced to Shut Down Amid Severe LPG Shortage Crisis
The restaurant industry in Mangaluru is facing an unprecedented crisis as the non-availability of commercial LPG cylinders threatens to force widespread closures across the city. Restaurant owners have declared they have no practical alternative but to down their shutters if the supply situation doesn't improve dramatically within the next two to three days.
Imminent Shutdowns Loom for Eateries
Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy, President of the Mangaluru Restaurants' Association, revealed that most members have decided to close their establishments if gas cylinders aren't refilled promptly. The supply of commercial LPG cylinders has been completely stopped, affecting thousands of workers and businesses throughout the hospitality sector.
"We will have to close our restaurants shortly. It is not possible to run our business without LPG," Shenoy emphasized. "Using only steam or any other source is not a practical solution for cooking food. Restaurants cannot function properly with just electric boilers."
Price Hike Compounds Supply Problems
Compounding the crisis, the government has recently increased LPG refill prices for commercial customers by approximately Rs 115 per cylinder. While restaurant owners acknowledge that marginal price increases for commercial LPG refills might be reasonable, they question the logic of hiking prices when the product itself isn't available in the market.
"After hiking the price, the product should be available. How can we run the show without the product?" Shenoy questioned, highlighting the fundamental disconnect between pricing policies and supply realities.
Cascading Effects on Community
Manohar Shetty, President of the South Canara Hotel and Restaurants' Association, warned that the combined impact of LPG price increases and severe shortages will create cascading effects throughout the community. Consumers will inevitably feel the pinch as restaurants struggle to maintain operations.
"It is difficult for us to increase our rates too. This is truly a major problem affecting our entire industry," Shetty explained. "We have no choice but to wait until this issue is resolved, though we hope the ongoing crisis may ease soon."
Broader Implications and Political Intervention
Activist Muneer Katipalla noted that ordinary citizens are already beginning to feel the impact of supply chain disruptions, suggesting that the crisis will only intensify if left unresolved.
In response to the escalating situation, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta has written to Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, bringing attention to the irregular supply of commercial LPG cylinders affecting the restaurant and hospitality sector. Chowta highlighted that several entrepreneurs from coastal Karnataka, particularly Dakshina Kannada, who operate restaurants and catering establishments in major cities including Bengaluru and Mumbai, have reported significant disruptions to their daily operations.
The MP urged the minister to review the situation comprehensively and ensure uninterrupted supply of commercial LPG cylinders to protect livelihoods dependent on this vital sector. The association members in Mangaluru have expressed their full support for the state body's position regarding the LPG crisis, presenting a united front in their appeal for immediate government intervention.
