Kota: The shortage of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East has hit the coaching hub of Kota hard, with hostel owners and mess operators saying they are struggling to put out enough daily meals.Some have been forced to cut their menus as a result, while others have stopped serving tea and snacks. Several others have shifted from gas to coal stoves, wherever possible. Hostel operators insist the crisis remains acute.Kota Hostel Association president Naveen Mittal said the nearly 4,000 hostels and 500 mess facilities in the city together need up to 700 cylinders daily. With promised supplies failing to show up, however, many have been forced to buy cylinders on the black market at Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 each.District authorities, however, denied any shortage of domestic LPG cylinders. District supply officer Kartikeya Meena said domestic cylinder supply in Kota was normal, and only commercial cylinder supply remained restricted.
