LPG Crisis Grips Idukki: Hotels Shut Down, Daily Life Disrupted
A severe shortage of cooking gas has begun to cripple daily life in Idukki district, forcing numerous hotels to close their kitchens and raising alarm among households. The deepening LPG crisis has already led to the shutdown of approximately 20 hotels across the district, with the situation threatening to worsen in the coming days.
Hotels Forced to Close as Gas Supply Dries Up
According to M N Babu, president of the Kerala Hotel and Food Operators Association, nearly 10 food establishments in the Thodupuzha town area alone have been compelled to shut down due to the unavailability of cooking gas. Most hotels in Idukki depend entirely on commercial LPG cylinders, with only a few small establishments in rural areas still utilizing firewood alongside gas.
Hotels in the district typically consume between one to more than 20 cylinders per day, depending on their size. However, many establishments currently have only one or two cylinders in stock, creating an unsustainable operational environment. The district is home to around 10,000 food establishments, including catering units, all of which are now facing uncertainty.
Funeral Rites and Households Under Threat
The crisis extends beyond commercial establishments, with funeral rites now being affected. Many public crematoriums in Idukki operate using gas in addition to electricity, and gas is widely used for cremations conducted on home premises. A prolonged shortage could therefore disrupt these essential ceremonies, adding emotional distress to the practical challenges.
For households, the situation is equally dire. With LPG being the primary cooking fuel in urban areas and firewood becoming increasingly scarce and expensive, homemakers are growing increasingly anxious. Some rural households have resorted to using firewood stoves again, while induction cookers are experiencing a surge in demand at local shops.
Ramani Vijayan, a homemaker from Kappithottam in Thodupuzha, expressed her concerns: "A cylinder usually lasts only 25 to 30 days. If the shortage worsens, it will be very difficult for households. We are worried whether we will have to close our kitchens."
Distribution Network Under Strain
A total of 30 LPG distribution agencies operate in Idukki district, serving nearly 3.5 lakh consumers. These agencies are distributed across the taluks as follows:
- Thodupuzha: 8 agencies
- Udumbanchola: 8 agencies
- Idukki: 5 agencies
- Peermade: 5 agencies
- Devikulam: 4 agencies
Notably, one agency at Anachal in Devikulam taluk was previously suspended by authorities. While officials maintain that there is no major LPG supply disruption, distribution agencies are warning that cylinder shortages could occur in the coming days. Delivery through route vehicles has already been affected, with complaints that they are not reaching several areas.
Consumers Forced to Take Matters Into Their Own Hands
As a result of the distribution challenges, many consumers are now visiting agencies directly to collect cylinders. The response from agencies varies: some provide filled cylinders immediately when customers bring empty ones, while others have implemented a token system, with cylinders being distributed only after several days of waiting.
This ad-hoc approach has created confusion and inconvenience, exacerbating the sense of crisis among residents and business owners alike. The situation highlights the critical dependence on LPG for both commercial and domestic activities in the region.
The LPG shortage in Idukki is not just an inconvenience; it is a full-blown crisis affecting livelihoods, daily routines, and even final rites. With hotels shuttering, households scrambling for alternatives, and distribution systems under strain, the district faces a challenging period ahead unless swift measures are taken to restore normal supply chains.
