LPG Shortage Hits Restaurants in Bhopal and Hyderabad as Businesses Turn to Alternatives

A reported shortage of commercial LPG cylinders is beginning to disrupt hotel and restaurant operations in Bhopal, forcing several establishments to switch to alternatives such as induction cooking, while some have temporarily shut down.

The shortage is also affecting common citizens in the city, with long queues reported outside several gas agencies as people wait to obtain domestic LPG cylinders.

Amid the disruption, a major fast food chain operating in Bhopal has begun shifting to induction based cooking to keep its kitchens running.

The chain runs around 27 outlets across Madhya Pradesh, including Bhopal, and has started gradually transitioning its cooking processes to induction systems.

"We are trying to make it work through induction cooking. We have already shifted 60 per cent of our work to induction, and the remaining 10-20 per cent will be solved in a couple of days once we get induction. We will make sure to prepare at least 80 per cent of the food items, if not all,” he added.

Will induction cooking help restaurants cope with the ongoing LPG shortage?

"Currently, our entire commercial production is in induction. We were using induction earlier, but after the ongoing problem, we are working on it more actively," Gaire said.

"It would take a bit of extra time in cooking in comparison to gas and we also have to change all the utensils according to induction. We will try to ensure that no one returns hungry from our restaurant," he added.

Gaire said the induction facility is being introduced across all outlets operated by the chain in the state.

"We have nearly 27 outlets across the state and the same induction cooking facility is being opted to all the places. Instructions have been issued and our chefs and executives are all engaged."

The shortage is also hitting restaurants in Hyderabad, where operators say their businesses are being severely affected.

Some establishments have started cooking using wood as an alternative fuel.

"Today, due to the shortage of gas, we are cooking on wood. Almost all hotels in Telangana have already closed down because of the gas shortage," restaurant owner Nadeem Quadri from MS Mandi Hyderabad told ANI.

"There is such a severe shortage that black market gas is happening, and besides gas, wood has also become very expensive. It is affecting our business a lot; we are serving people by cooking on wood at any cost. Even during this holy month of Ramadan, we are preparing food on wood and providing it to the public," he added.

"With gas, work gets done quickly and easily. With wood, one or two extra people are needed, and there is also more pollution in the restaurants. Cooking on wood also affects the interiors of the restaurant,” Nadeem added.

Is the LPG shortage fuelling black market gas and rising costs for restaurants?

Meanwhile, the Enforcement wing of the CAF and Civil Supplies Department has launched widespread search and seizure operations to crack down on the illegal commercial diversion and pilferage of domestic LPG cylinders.

According to an official statement, coordinated raids conducted on March 9 across Hanmakonda, Warangal and Karmanghat resulted in the seizure of 22 domestic cylinders, 25 small cylinders and multiple gas refilling units from various proprietors. The seized property was valued at Rs 64,468.

These operations followed a major interception on February 14 in Bonguluru, Ibrahimpatnam, where authorities apprehended an offender and seized 78 domestic cylinders along with a transport vehicle valued at Rs 1,71,600.

In total, enforcement actions have led to the recovery of 100 domestic LPG cylinders and 25 small cylinders with a combined value of Rs 2,36,068.

Authorities said 6-A reports have been filed before the Collector (CS), and FIRs have been registered or are under process against all offenders.

"We kindly request the public not to do overbooking of LPG cylinders. Citizens can report any ongoing issues regarding LPG cylinders, illegal commercial use, or other civil supplies matters by contacting the toll-free number 1967," a civil supplies official said.

How is the government responding to the LPG shortage across the country?

The shortage has emerged amid global energy supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

In response, the Union government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise domestic LPG supply, reserving higher allocations for households, hospitals and essential services while restricting commercial distribution in several regions.

The Centre said domestic LPG production has increased by about 25 per cent and that the entire domestic LPG output is being directed towards household consumers.

The government also said that for non domestic LPG, priority is being given to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.

(With inputs from ANI)