PANAJI: The crunch in LPG supply is giving Goa’s restaurateurs and hoteliers flashbacks of the Covid-19 pandemic. While the supply of commercial LPG cylinders continues in a regulated manner, eateries say they expect gas supply to flame out by the weekend.In preparation, Goa’s culinary and hospitality sectors have started to switch over to electric induction cooktops to conserve their LPG stocks and prepare for disruption.
“This is like Covid times. We expect the LPG supplies to stop in 3-5 days. If that happens, it will be a disaster,” said Jack Sukhija, president, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa. “Govt must instruct officials to implement and enforce strict district-wise measures to prevent LPG cylinders from being diverted to the black market.”The Goa chamber of commerce and industry (GCCI) already wrote to Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri, warning that govt’s intent to protect household LPG supplies could cripple the backbone of Goa’s economy.India imports around 62% of the LPG it consumes, with most shipments passing through the strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route now under strain due to the war in West Asia. In light of the development, the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas issued an order on March 5 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, mandating that all LPG produced by oil refiners be supplied exclusively to domestic consumers, effectively cutting off the primary fuel source for thousands of commercial establishments across the state.“This could lead to the closure of many food and beverage establishments and hotels around Goa, which will lead to a crisis and affect tourism in Goa. A lot of ancillary businesses will also be severely affected. The majority of the restaurants, beach shacks, and catering services rely on LPG for their businesses. A 25-day stockpile will probably not be sufficient, and although the Iran crisis seems distant, it is threatening to affect Goa’s economy,” said Sukhija.Some hoteliers are thinking of shifting to European plan (EP) tariffs, where guests pay for accommodation only, with no meals included.TTAG requested govt to ensure that commercial LPG is continuously available, to prioritise dialogue with the Centre, and to take the suppliers and distribution network into confidence.
