Ranchi: The confusion over LPG supply is disrupting operations at street food stalls and small eateries across Ranchi, forcing many vendors to cut down menu items, temporarily shut stalls, or impose a gas surcharge on customers. With regular supply affected, several vendors allege they are being forced to buy commercial LPG cylinders on the black market at sharply inflated prices, significantly raising operating costs and threatening their daily livelihoods.The impact is clearly visible at the bustling Morabadi vendor market, one of the city’s busiest food hubs, where daytime operations largely stopped due to the reported LPG shortage. Vendors said most stalls now open only in the evening, and even then with significantly reduced menus, as arranging gas became difficult.“Earlier, we used to come here even during the day for snacks and lunch, but now most stalls open only in the evening and many dishes are not available,” said Samir Mahato, a visitor at the market.Dharmesh, a Chinese fast-food stall operator along the busy Firayalal–Main Road stretch, said he was forced to buy a commercial LPG cylinder for nearly Rs 3,000.“Normally, the cylinder costs around Rs 1,800, but we could not get it through regular supplier. Because of the high cost, we cut down several dishes and are preparing only a few items that require less gas,” he said.Shubham Pandey, another small eatery owner in Lalpur, said the crisis also forced vendors to increase prices slightly to stay afloat. “Gas that usually costs around Rs 1,800 was bought for nearly Rs 2,800 from the black market. At that rate, it becomes impossible for small stalls to survive, so some vendors are adding Rs 10–Rs 20 to a few items just to manage the expenses,” he said.The shortage also forced some restaurants to alter cooking methods. Irfan, manager of Hyderabadi Zaika at Purulia Road, said several dishes were temporarily stopped due to the shortage. “Chinese and tandoor items were cut down. Right now, most of the cooking is being done on firewood because LPG cylinders are difficult to get,” he said.
