How Bengaluru eateries are dealing with LPG crisis

Across the world, the closure of the Straits of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict is driving up fuel prices.

Among those affected in Bengaluru are the owners of eateries and restaurants across the spectrum, who are resorting to measures such as shortening their menus and using alternative fuel sources.

Previously, P C Rao, head of the BruhatBengaluruHotel Owners Association, had called for government intervention to restore commercial gas supply, warning that otherwise restaurants across the city might have to shut down.

Among these restaurateurs is Akshat Prasad, proprietor of the Vapour microbrewery and restaurant, which has two outlets on Sarjapur Road and Indira Nagar.

“Five days ago at the Sarjapur outlet, and three days ago at Indira Nagar, I started facing gas shortages,” he toldTheIndian Express.

In normal times, Prasad’s restaurants (which seat around 500 people) might order 15-16 cylinders at a time, consuming around 200 cylinders a month.

With commercial gascylinders being virtually unavailable, Prasad is leaning on his coal-fueled tandoors and grills.

He said, “Now we have revamped the menu for things that can come out of the grills and the tandoors, rather than things that are cooked with gas.

We are limiting gravies and things like that.” This is not a perfect fix as Prasad estimates that he has taken a revenue hit of 40-45 per cent.

He added, “Across the city, everyone is facing issues….this is an industry that employs 8.5 million people.

By stopping commercial (unsubsidised) gas supplies to restaurants, these jobs have been put at risk, but consideration has not been given to migrant workers and those who rely on the food industry.”
He added that a solution could be allocating a specific limit of cylinders for restaurants, instead of a blanket lack of supply.

Regarding the current situation, Prasad added, “It may foster an environment which creates a black market, which is very sad in such a connected world…”.

However, eatery owners like Prasad, who have set-ups consuming fuel sources other than gas, are not the true representatives of those affected.

He noted, “There are so many places I know that can’t afford to keep their staff.

There are places that don’t have tandoors, etc, or burners at South Indian eateries which serve items like dosas.

They cannot operate without gas at all; their shutters are down”.

Another restaurateur, Just Blr proprietor Ananth Narayan, has managed to avoid the immediate impact of gas shortage as his outlets around Brigade Road rely on electricity for cooking.

Many others are not in such a position.

Narayan, who is also head of the local chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India, said, “Out of 430 members, we had polled 170-100 have told us that they are out of gas cylinders, the rest will be out in the next couple of days.

Most members are doing smaller menus – some are using coal pellets, others are using bio-gas (such as Empire Koramangala).

Somehow,gaadi chal raha hai“.

However, Narayan is maintaining optimism.

He noted that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had stated in meetings with the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) that the food and beverage sector would be given essential industry status going ahead, restoring commercial gas supply.

He added, ” In the next few days, some commercial gas supply may start coming to us.”
In related news, the Bangalore Apartment Federation has also issued an advisory to its member associations, recommending residents to avoid panic bookings (which could create an artificial shortage) and also use electricity to cook where possible.

The Federation also suggested steps for efficient gas usage, such as covering vessels and using pressure cookers.

It also urged residents to extend support to household and association staff members during this time.

Stay updated with the latest -Click here to follow us on Instagram