Bengaluru Grapples with Severe LPG Cylinder Shortage, Restaurants Forced to Adapt or Shut Down
A critical shortage of LPG cylinders has gripped Bengaluru, creating a severe crisis for restaurants, small eateries, and households across the city. This scarcity is forcing many to seek alternative cooking methods, while some establishments are being compelled to cease operations entirely.
Restaurants Return to Traditional Firewood Cooking
For numerous eateries, the lack of available LPG cylinders has meant a dramatic shift back to traditional cooking techniques. Prajwala BR, manager of Nammura Coffee Katte in RR Nagar, detailed the challenging situation. “Though the price of an LPG cylinder has skyrocketed to around ₹5,500, we are prepared to pay, but cylinders are simply not available,” she explained. “We have resorted to using wood fire for the past week, as we cannot afford to lose our customer base.” This trend highlights the desperate measures businesses are taking to survive.
Unexpected Boom in Firewood Trade Across the City
The LPG crunch has inadvertently sparked a significant surge in the firewood trade. Ahmed, a firewood trader operating in Shivajinagar, reported a sharp increase in sales over the last week. “Demand has risen considerably, with some customers even placing orders online,” he noted. This shift indicates how the crisis is reshaping local supply chains and consumer behavior.
Eateries Shut Down as Food Prices Escalate
The impact is severe, with industry representatives confirming closures and financial strain. PC Rao, President of the Bangalore Hotel Association, revealed the scale of the problem. “Approximately twenty-five eateries in the city have already been forced to shut down due to the ongoing LPG crisis,” he stated. Rao added that many surviving establishments have had no choice but to increase food prices by ₹5 to ₹20 per item to offset the rising operational costs, placing additional burden on consumers.
Spike in Demand for Induction Stove Repairs and Services
The shortage has also triggered a sudden and substantial rise in demand for induction stoves, affecting both households and commercial kitchens. Sharath Kumar, owner of Sri Varalakshmi Electronics in Jayanagar, observed that service requests have more than doubled recently. “Typically, we would handle about 5 to 10 induction stoves for service per day or throughout a week. Now, we are seeing numbers surge to around 20 to 25 units daily,” he reported. This increase underscores the rush toward electric alternatives amid the gas crisis.
Controversial 'Gas Charges' Applied to Customer Bills
In a controversial move, some hotels and restaurants have begun adding a “gas charge” or “LPG surcharge” ranging from ₹15 to ₹30 to customer bills, citing increased commercial LPG costs. However, diners have raised concerns, noting that this fee is being applied even to items like lemonade and other beverages that require no cooking gas, leading to questions about transparency and fairness in pricing during the crisis.
The situation in Bengaluru remains tense as residents and businesses continue to navigate the challenges posed by the LPG shortage, with many hoping for a swift resolution to restore normalcy.
