Nagpur: Caterers with packed wedding order books are staring at uncertainty amid growing panic over the availability of cooking gas, particularly commercial LPG cylinders. Industry players say the real pinch could be felt within days, as the stock maintained by even large caterers may not last long if supplies remain uncertain.Vinod Kanakdande, office-bearer of Nagpur’s Halls and Lawns Association, said the situation could spiral quickly if the current trend continues. “Just wait for another five days and it will be full chaos if the current situation continues. From now itself, we are finding it difficult to secure commitments from dealers for future deliveries, and this is a big challenge for us. We are hoping that the situation eases and it will not impact future orders,” he said.Kanakdande added that wedding receptions cannot be cancelled arbitrarily as both clients and caterers make substantial investments in advance. The segment, he said, is therefore among the most vulnerable if gas supplies tighten further.Several caterers, speaking off the record, admitted that the outlook is uncertain. One caterer who has tie-ups with multiple lawns said the mixed signals from authorities and suppliers are adding to the confusion. “I saw news that the govt is saying there is no need to panic as we have enough stock. But then we see these subtle changes in rules where the cylinder booking gap is increased, and even our suppliers are saying it will be difficult in the days to come. It’s hard to know if suppliers are creating panic so that they can make more money in black marketing or whether this is a genuine thing,” he said.Some caterers said they may adapt if shortages worsen, particularly for outdoor events. A caterer specialising in non-veg items, especially biryani, said cooking methods could change if LPG supply becomes erratic. “If there’s a shortage, then all caterers will adapt to the situation by changing their cooking. More firewood will be used, and this is something that those having lawns can easily do. Even banquet hall owners can find space in their backyard to do this. But stuff like fulkas needs a more controlled temperature, so it might not be easy to shift to firewood,” he said.However, others pointed out that firewood can only be a short-term workaround and may not be practical in dense urban settings. A caterer based in Nandanvan said the option has clear limitations. “A century ago, this is how people would cook, but that’s not always the easiest way. There are so many banquet halls in urban areas which are densely populated; you just cannot start cooking on firewood outside there on a daily basis,” he said.
