PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Many small roadside food vendors have started using coal and wood stoves to keep their businesses running amid the ongoing issues in supply of LPG cylinders. Vendors who rely on commercial gas cylinders for daily cooking say that delays in refills and a lack of supply in the market have disrupted their business.
For most roadside carts and small stalls across the city, LPG has been the primary cooking fuel. Street food vendor Shubham Chauhan said that he is managing with the limited stock on hand. “Commercial cylinders are not easily available in the market right now. We are using the commercial stock we already had,” he said. He added that even if a cylinder becomes available at a higher price, once the current stock finishes, running the business could become very difficult.
The supply issue is creating uncertainty for vendors who rely on daily earnings. Rahul Kumar, who runs a roadside food cart near the district court, said that he stood in the gas agency line for days but could not get a cylinder. “At home, we have only one cylinder and if I bring that here, cooking will stop at home,” he said. He has resorted to using coal and wood stoves to prepare meals for his customers.
Alternative fuels are not without their challenges. Sahil Chauhan said that the firewood available in the market is wet due to recent rains and difficult to use. “We do not have permanent places either, so carrying the Chullah everywhere is risky and not feasible. I prepare half-cooked meals at home and try to conserve as much LPG as I can for my stall,” he said.
Tea stall owner Vinod Kumar said that he has been searching for a refill for the past five days without success. “I have been using coal to prepare tea, omelettes and Maggi, but this is not a long-term solution. I went to buy coal today and prices are skyrocketing. We are barely able to make any money with rising inflation and this extra cost may force us out of business,” he said.
