Thiruvananthapuram: An all-party meeting convened by city corporation on Sunday to address the ongoing LPG cylinder shortage decided to send a delegation to medical college hospital on Monday to assess the situation and ensure uninterrupted cooking gas supply to hospital canteens and nearby hostels.Representatives of the three major political fronts in the corporation will meet the superintendent of govt medical college hospital and discuss the possibility of prioritising LPG supply to hospital canteens and nearby hostels, which cater to thousands of patients, bystanders and students.Mayor V V Rajesh said the visit was aimed at ensuring that essential institutions don’t face disruption due to the shortage. “Our priority is to ensure that hospital canteens and hostels functioning in the area receive adequate LPG supply so that patients, bystanders and students are not affected,” he said.The meeting reviewed contingency measures to support people if the shortage worsens. “We are closely monitoring the situation. If LPG shortage begins to affect hostel residents or patients and their bystanders, the corporation will immediately implement community kitchens so that no one is left without food,” Rajesh said. Corporation will finalise the implementation mechanism soon, he added.Corporation is exploring the possibility of opening community kitchens either at zonal level or on a cluster basis. The final decision will depend on the evolving situation over the next few days. Rajesh said several parents across the state contacted him expressing concern after some hostels in the city reportedly announced temporary closure due to cooking gas shortage. Many students from outside the state capital are currently staying in hostels, preparing for examinations scheduled in March and April. Parents said shutting hostels during the examination season could seriously disrupt students’ preparation. The all-party meeting also reviewed civic issues unrelated to the LPG crisis. Leaders agreed that the ongoing drinking water shortage in Kazhakootam and Ambalamukku areas would be addressed with a permanent solution after the upcoming elections.Earlier, corporation warned of strict action against those involved in black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders. Rajesh said authorities wouldn’t hesitate to cancel licences of traders or distributors found exploiting the situation.Inspections will be intensified across the city to prevent illegal trading and to ensure smooth distribution of LPG cylinders to households and commercial establishments, Rajesh said.Acknowledging shortages being reported in some areas, Rajesh said Union govt had stepped in to address the issue. Union minister Suresh Gopi had informed that review meetings were being held across states based on Centere’s directives to chief ministers and district collectors to ensure adequate LPG supply, he said.Corporation officials also held discussions with representatives of trade bodies, including hotel and catering associations, urging them not to increase food prices during the crisis and to continue providing boiled drinking water to customers.
