Prayagraj: Hotels and restaurants are feeling the pinch due to a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, forcing them to opt for induction systems despite challenges such as longer cooking times and the need for new utensils. The shortage is linked to global energy disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict, prompting the govt to prioritize domestic LPG supply for households, hospitals, and essential services. As a result, commercial LPG distribution has been restricted, affecting businesses like hotels and restaurants.Retailers across the city have reported a sharp spike in the sale of induction cooktops and electric cooking appliances. Shopkeepers said the surge in demand has been visible for the past two days, with customers increasingly turning to electric cooktops, infrared stoves and compatible utensils as a backup.Industry representatives said the LPG situation is affecting restaurants, many of which rely heavily on cylinder supplies. Currently, only three city-based restaurant/hotel units have a commercial induction facility; others are following suit until the crisis resolves.“The restaurant industry is predominantly dependent on commercial LPG. Any disruption will lead to a catastrophic closure of restaurants,” said Harjinder Singh, president of the Prayagraj Hotel & Restaurant Welfare Association.To overcome the crisis, he said many restaurant owners are switching to commercial inductions to run their units. Even though some restaurants are moving to induction and electricity-based cooking, their menus will have to be curtailed because not all dishes can be prepared using these methods.As news of a potential LPG shortage spread, Sangam City witnessed a scramble for alternative cooking methods. Induction stoves flew off shelves, both online and in local shops, as consumers panicked over possible gas supply disruptions. The sudden surge in demand has led to a scarcity of these appliances, making them a hot commodity in the city.“We have ordered fresh stock as all induction stoves have been sold. Earlier, electric cooktops were largely purchased by hospitality outlets, but now households are coming in a panic, fearing stoppage of LPG supply,” said Nitin Jaiswal, a shop owner in Katra.Meanwhile, complaints of domestic LPG availability have escalated, with consumers facing difficulties in booking. To tackle the issue, district authorities have deployed special teams to crack down on alleged black-marketing and verify stock records at LPG godowns.Domestic LPG users continued to flock to distribution centres, frustrated by non-functional booking apps. Agencies claimed inadequate supply, with one anonymous distributor saying, “We get consignments from oil companies every 3-7 days, disrupting our supply chain and piling up bookings.” With the supply chain affected due to irregular arrival of consignments, bookings have also piled up.
