PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Many Dehradun households are buying induction cooktops amid the ongoing issues with the supply of LPG cylinders in the city. Electric appliance shop owners say sales of induction stoves have skyrocketed lately as residents struggled with uncertain LPG supply. The sudden demand has also pushed up prices and reduced the availability of several models in the local market, according to retailers.
Pradeep Singh Tomar, who owns an appliance shop in the city, said that the customers are increasingly turning to induction stoves to manage daily cooking needs. “The demand for induction stoves has increased significantly due to the West Asia conflict that has disrupted LPG supply. Many customers are willing to buy them even at higher prices because they need an alternative for cooking. Companies are also supplying stock at higher rates due to the surge in demand,” he said. Tomar added that compared to last year, the sale of induction stoves has risen considerably.
Shopkeepers say that the rise in LPG prices has also contributed to the shift. Siddharth Hurla, owner of Hurla Electricals, said that the several households are now considering induction cooking as a practical backup. “Many consumers are shifting towards induction stoves as an alternative to LPG. At the same time, supply of induction stoves is limited, which has created a shortage in the market and led to higher prices,” he said.
Hurla added that the trend is visible on online marketplaces as well, where several models are either out of stock or selling at higher prices. “If customers check online platforms, they will see that prices have gone up and some models are unavailable.
Residents say that the switch to electric cooking offers some relief but may increase household electricity expenses. Local resident Rinki Singh said that many families are buying induction stoves because they have limited options. “When I tried to buy one, various models were either unavailable or selling at higher prices in stores and online,” she said.
Shilpa, who bought an induction from a quick delivery platform, says she paid almost 30 per cent higher than she would’ve paid for it on any other day. Shilpa says her family ran out of LPG and the queues outside the agencies were enough to convince her to buy an induction stove.
However, she is worried about the higher electricity bill she may face and the power cuts in the city during summers.
