ANJALI YADAV/Dehradun
Many restaurants here are struggling to maintain normal operations as a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has disrupted kitchen services. Many eateries have started trimming their menus, adjusting operating hours and increasing prices to cope with the irregular gas supply and rising fuel costs.
Restaurant owners say that the supply of commercial LPG cylinders has become inconsistent, making it difficult to sustain the business throughout the day. As a result, several establishments are limiting the number of dishes they prepare or reducing service hours to conserve available gas.
One of India’s popular biryani chains Biryani By Kilo has stopped accepting orders for its signature dish. When last checked on Swiggy and Zomato, the brand’s Dehradun outlet listed everything else but Biryani. The chain on its Instagram page said that it was “tackling the LPG shortage” with “adjusted timing and leaner menu”.
Another biryani brand in Dehradun, Banana Leaf echoed similar views. Owner Atul Reddy said that, “Right now, because of the gas shortage, we are not preparing items like biryani regularly. Biryani requires a strong and continuous flame and consumes a large amount of gas. Since the supply of LPG cylinders is uncertain, we have temporarily stopped taking orders,” he said.
President of the Uttarakhand Gas Agency Association Chaman Lal said that the situation is becoming increasingly challenging. He said that the commercial LPG cylinders are not only scarce for restaurants but are also failing to reach schools, roadside eateries and hostels.
“Requests for cylinders are coming in every few minutes, but agencies are unable to fulfill them due to limited supply. The pressure on gas agencies is continuously increasing,” he said. Several small hotels and eateries are close to shutting down because they are unable to obtain LPG cylinders, Lal added.
Restaurants in the city say that the shortage is forcing them to rethink daily operations. A Dharampur-based small eatery, which serves food to at least 30 individuals daily, said that they have deployed a worker outside a gas agency since morning. “The long queues and hassle are unnecessary,” he asked, “if cooking food should be their priority or standing in queues”.
Local resident Mahesh Kumar said that the shortage is also affecting customers. “Many restaurants have increased prices or reduced menu options. It becomes difficult for customers as the inflation is already high and prices are skyrocketing,” he said.
