Ranchi: From high-end restaurants to small eateries, all are facing the effect of restricted LPG supply despite authorities ruling out any crisis. Many restaurant owners on Wednesday said their LPG stocks are likely to last only a couple of days.With the supplies dwindling, several establishments have been forced to cut their menus and look for alternative fuels, such as coal or induction cookers to keep their businesses running.
Pankaj Rajgariah, owner of a city hotel, said that food is being prepared only for guests and employees.“Since gas cylinders are not available, I have bought an induction cooker and utensils which are needed so that we can at least cook for our guests and hotel staff,” Rajgariah said, adding that they have stopped taking orders to host parties.Ashwini Bhatia, owner of two high-end restaurants in the city, said that he is thinking of shifting to coal as his LPG stocks are about to run out. “With the LPG stocks I have, I can manage for two days. So, I have decided to shift to coal to keep the business running. Also, I have cut down on menus to ensure optimum usage of LPG cylinders,” Bhatia said.On the other hand, small eatery owners are apprehensive that they might have to temporarily shut down operations if LPG supply doesn’t normalise soon.Shubham Kumar, who runs a dhaba near Lalpur Chowk, might have to shut his shop due to the ongoing commercial cylinder shortage. “I need a commercial cylinder daily to cook food. I don’t know if I will be able to open the shop on Thursday,” he said.The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has increased by Rs 114 and now stands at Rs 2,039.50. “But people are asking for Rs 2,700-Rs 2,800 per cylinder now, which is not affordable,” Kumar said.Ranjit Kumar, owner of another restaurant at Circular Road, has decided to close his establishment, for a couple of days till the gas supply becomes normal. He said that he will pay the salaries of his restaurant staff. “We need to shut shop because we cannot afford to increase the food prices as that will drive away customers,” Ranjit said.Sweet shops too have cut down on production. “For the time being we have reduced production of many sweetmeat items,” Rabishankar Guin, owner of a prominent shop at Lalpur said, adding that savouries will, however, be available.
