West Asia Conflict Triggers Commercial LPG Supply Disruptions; Bengaluru Hotels Warn of Shutdown as Crisis Spreads Across India
With geopolitical tensions in West Asia continuing to disrupt global energy supply chains, the hospitality sector in Bengaluru has warned of a possible shutdown of restaurants if the supply of commercial cooking gas cylinders is not restored immediately.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Hotel Owners’ Association on Monday announced that eateries across the city could suspend operations if the delivery of commercial LPG cylinders remains halted.
Association President P.C. Rao stated that restaurant operators were facing serious difficulties as suppliers had stopped delivering commercial gas cylinders used for cooking.
He said the association has already appealed to the government to intervene urgently and ensure the uninterrupted availability of commercial LPG to the hospitality sector.
Restaurants begin to feel the impact.
The warning from the association comes amid reports that distributors in some areas have already halted the supply of commercial LPG cylinders starting Monday due to disruptions linked to the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
According to Rao, around 25 to 30 hotels and restaurants in Bengaluru were already affected on Monday morning after suppliers stopped delivering cooking gas.
“We have written to the Central Government and also approached Members of Parliament representing the region, but so far no concrete solution has emerged,” he said.
Hotels say the shutdown will hurt public services
In its letter to the authorities, the association pointed out that the hospitality industry provides an essential service to a wide section of society and any disruption in operations would directly affect the public.
The communication stated that hotels and restaurants provide meals to ordinary citizens, senior citizens, students, healthcare workers, rs and several other groups who depend on them for daily food.
If gas supplies remain suspended, these people will face serious inconvenience.
The association also warned that the hotel industry itself would be pushed into a severe operational crisis until commercial LPG distribution resumes and the situation stabilises.
Hotel owners further stated that oil companies had earlier assured the industry that there would be no interruption in gas supply for nearly 70 days despite international tensions.
However, the sudden suspension of deliveries has come as a major setback to restaurants and food establishments.
The letter urged senior officials of the Union Government to take urgent corrective measures and restore the supply of commercial LPG cylinders to support the hospitality sector.
The association warned that if the situation is not resolved immediately, hotels across Bengaluru may go on strike starting March 10.
Industry reluctant but forced to consider closure
P.C. Rao clarified that restaurant owners have no desire to shut down their establishments, but said they may be compelled to take drastic steps if the supply chain remains disrupted.
“We do not intend to close our businesses. However, if the gas supply in Bengaluru does not resume by tomorrow, we will have no option but to suspend operations.
Such a step will also cause financial losses because the entire business ecosystem will be affected,” he said.
Karnataka government reacts
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised the recent increase in LPG cylinder prices announced by the Central Government.
Speaking to the media on Monday, he said the decision to raise the price of commercial LPG cylinders by ₹115 and domestic cylinders by ₹60 was excessive and unjustified.
However, he clarified that the issue of price increase and the problem of supply disruption are two separate matters.
Situation in other states and union territories
Reports indicate that the disruption in commercial LPG supply is not limited to Bengaluru but is affecting several parts of the country.
In Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai and surrounding areas, restaurants and food establishments have reported an acute shortage of commercial LPG cylinders.
Industry representatives say nearly 20 percent of eateries have already shut down, while as many as half of the establishments may suspend operations if supplies are not restored soon.
In Delhi and the National Capital Region, restaurant operators have said that their available stock of commercial cylinders may last only two to three days, raising concerns about possible disruptions in food services.
Some traders have also complained about panic buying and rising prices in the informal market.
In West Bengal, several restaurants in Kolkata have begun exploring alternative cooking arrangements due to uncertainty surrounding LPG deliveries.
Food establishments in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have also reported delays in the supply of commercial cylinders, prompting industry groups to request urgent government intervention.
In Rajasthan, distributors in certain regions have reportedly been instructed not to accept fresh bookings for commercial LPG cylinders, causing concern among business owners.
Similarly, restaurants in Tamil Nadu, particularly in Chennai, have started experiencing irregular supplies of commercial cooking gas, which could soon affect operations if the situation persists.
Domestic consumers are given priority.
Officials have indicated that the supply of cooking gas for households is being given priority to prevent shortages among domestic consumers.
As a result, the availability of LPG cylinders for commercial users such as hotels and restaurants has become tighter.
Industry associations across the country have now urged the Union Government to intervene immediately to stabilise supplies and prevent widespread closures in the hospitality sector.
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