Mysuru: The commercial LPG cylinder shortage deepened on Wednesday — severely impacting hotels and choultries — as supplies dwindled further. With cylinders unavailable even at Rs 4,500 (against the original price of Rs 1,900) some hotels across the district have begun shutting down.The crisis has also affected event management, with caterers now asking families to arrange cylinders. Earlier, caterers supplied cylinders along with other materials. But the disruption has shifted the burden onto families, adding to their event-related stress.Caterer HN Shridhara Murthy said they had no option but to depend on families due to supply issues. “It is a big crisis,” he rued.KR Satyanarayana, past-president of Mysuru Choultry Owners’ Association, said for events, caterers only bring the cylinders. “Earlier, we were providing two cylinders as complementary. But due to GST-related issues, we stopped it,” he said.Another caterer Shashidhara Rao noted that private suppliers are charging exorbitant prices, forcing them to pass on the burden. “Though there are no marriages until the second week of April, other events are on. Some suppliers are demanding up to Rs 6,000 per cylinder, which is unaffordable for many. It is a tricky situation,” he said.He added that locating suppliers has become increasingly difficult, as cylinders are being sold discreetly in isolated areas. “Shifting to firewood is also not easy in urban areas,” he said.Families are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Shashikiran Hegde, a resident of Agrahara, said those conducting unavoidable events are being exploited. “For two cylinders, up to Rs 10,000 is being demanded. There must be a proper mechanism to prevent this daylight robbery,” he said.Meanwhile, several hotel owners announced closures as commercial LPG supply has come to a standstill. “Even if we are willing to pay a premium, cylinders are not available,” said a hotel owner. “Available stock is being prioritised for hostels and hospitals, leaving hotels in a difficult situation.”Chamundeshwari Temple switches to firewoodThe Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills has shifted to firewood for preparing dasoha as a precautionary measure. According to M J Roopa, secretary of Sri Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority, the temple has sufficient cylinder stock, but opted for an alternative. The temple currently receives around 3,000 devotees on weekdays, and between 5,000 and 5,500 on weekends.
