Lucknow: The ongoing LPG shortage in the city has begun to hit small goldsmiths and jewellery artisans, who rely on gas torches for daily work such as soldering, melting and repairing ornaments.In jewelry hubs like Chowk Sarafa Bazar and Aminabad, artisans use LPG-fuelled flames to join delicate parts, resize rings and fix broken chains. But with cylinders becoming difficult to arrange, many workshops have been forced to halt operations. Raju Soni, a goldsmith in Chowk, said he had to shut his shop after failing to procure an LPG cylinder. Others said they were working only till their remaining gas lasts. Ashu, an artisan from Rajasthan working in Aminabad, said he has gas left for only about 10 more days. “Cylinders are not easily available now, and arranging one has become a challenge,” he said. Jewelers also flagged a steep price rise. Mohd Aquib said cylinders that earlier cost around RS 1,100 are now being sold for Rs 1,300–Rs 1,400, adding that supply has slowed, and delivery is getting delayed. Punit, another Aminabad-based artisan, said the shortage is causing delays in completing customer orders. “Most of our work depends entirely on LPG. Without regular supply, meeting deadlines becomes difficult,” he said.
