Noida Restaurants Forced to Adapt as Commercial LPG Supply Halts
This week, the sudden stoppage of commercial LPG cylinder supplies in Noida has prompted restaurant owners and street vendors to make swift decisions to maintain kitchen operations. Many are investing in electrical appliances, while others are rewriting menus overnight to cope with the disruption.
High Investments in Electric Conversions
At Baby Dragon, a bar and restaurant in Sector 18, owner Vicky Saluja spent nearly Rs 1 lakh over two days to transition much of his kitchen from gas to electricity. The purchase included six induction cooktops, an electric deep fryer, and new utensils. "We had to adapt quickly," Saluja said. "The entire setup costs around Rs 1 lakh, but we can't afford to shut the kitchen." Under normal conditions, the restaurant uses about 60 commercial LPG cylinders monthly. Saluja noted that while electric appliances might be more economical long-term, he prefers to return to LPG once supplies stabilize.
Menu Changes and Improvisation
Smaller establishments are also improvising. Sunaina, owner of Rasamama Coastal Dining in Sector 104, ran out of LPG two days ago and turned to induction cooking, buying six cooktops and an electric dosa plate. "Our cylinders have run out. Thankfully, we bought the equipment quickly. Vendors are now saying prices are rising because demand has gone up," she explained. This shift forced menu alterations; for instance, traditional dosas require large iron griddles heated on gas, so the cafe now serves smaller benne dosas suited to compact electric surfaces.
At Chakra Cafe in Sector 18, owner Heena Khera said induction cooking favors baked dishes over those needing intense heat, leading to a menu shift toward Italian items like pizzas and pasta. "Chinese dishes need very high heat that you only get on a gas flame, so we have reduced those items," Khera stated. She purchased an additional induction cooktop, but the transition is challenging as kitchens lack adequate plug points, requiring extension cords across counters.
Impact on Customer Footfall and Street Vendors
Khera also reported a slight drop in customer footfall, attributing it to public assumptions that restaurants are closed due to the LPG issue. Beyond restaurants, the shortage affects Noida's street food economy. In Film City, tea seller Santosh doubled tea prices from Rs 10 to Rs 20 after his commercial cylinder ran out, resorting to using a home cylinder. "If the shortage continues, I will keep bringing the home cylinder. We cannot afford to close the stall," he said.
Other vendors are simplifying menus to conserve fuel. In Sector 4, a street vendor switched from aloo and paneer parathas to sandwiches, as parathas require more flame and time. "If I use the cylinder carefully, it can last about six more days," he noted. Unlike restaurants, most stalls cannot switch to induction due to unreliable electricity access, relying instead on stretching their existing fuel.
Long-Term Implications and Adaptations
The disruption highlights the reliance on gas in commercial kitchens and the urgent need for adaptability. While electric conversions offer a temporary solution, they come with high costs and operational hurdles. Restaurant owners express hope for a swift return to normal LPG supplies, but in the meantime, innovation and resilience are key to sustaining Noida's vibrant food scene.
