The headlines have been about India’s oil reserves but the crunch over volatility in Middle East energy supply – as a result of the US-Israel war on Iran – is also being felt by a hospitality sector starved of LPG cylinders to fire up its stoves. Liquified petroleum gas is used by over 33 crore households, including lakhs of eateries, and it has suddenly become hard to get. As a result, commercial kitchens in Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and other cities have switched to wood fires – in most cases using scrap lumber as fuel – to ensure at least some food is available. In some cases the situation is so dire that restaurant has stopped serving some items or swapped out those that require more gas to cook in favour of fast food dishes. In Karnataka, for example, the popular Bangalore Thindies – located opposite the ruling Congress’ state unit office – is now serving only coffee and tea. Pre-crisis it had a 11-item menu that included dosa, idli, vada, and rice dishes. The cafe owner told NDTV LPG cylinders were available on the black market but at exorbitant prices.
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