Hisar's Food Industry Forced to Use Wood Stoves Amid LPG Cylinder Shortage
The supply of commercial LPG cylinders has been severely disrupted in Hisar district, compelling hostel messes at universities and colleges, along with hotels and roadside eateries, to adopt wood-fired stoves as an alternative fuel source. This sudden shift is causing significant operational challenges and raising concerns about the sustainability of local food-related businesses.
Government Directives Halt Commercial Cylinder Supply
According to gas agency operator Manoj Kumar, the distribution of commercial LPG cylinders to establishments such as hotels, dhabas, temples, and gurdwaras was stopped following government directives. However, the supply to mess facilities in schools, colleges, and universities has not been completely cut off. "Commercial cylinders are currently being supplied only to those mess operators who possess valid commercial gas connections," he explained, highlighting the selective nature of the disruption.
Impact on Hotels and Eateries
Rakesh Aggarwal, owner of Mid Town Grant Hotel, noted that his restaurant relies on a PNG connection, sparing them from immediate difficulties. "But PNG connections are not available in every part of Hisar," he added. "Due to the stoppage of commercial LPG cylinders, many hotel and dhaba operators have been forced to use alternative fuels like wood and coal." This has led to increased costs and logistical hurdles for these businesses.
University Messes Struggle with Fuel Shortage
A mess operator at Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, who requested anonymity, revealed that the gas cylinder shortage forced them to procure firewood from the market to cook meals for students. "Agency operators have warned that if the supply of commercial cylinders does not resume soon, wedding functions and catering businesses may also be severely affected," the operator stated, underscoring the potential ripple effects on the district's economy.
Scale of the LPG Consumption in Hisar
Local gas agencies report that Hisar consumes approximately 4 lakh domestic LPG cylinders monthly, while the monthly usage of commercial cylinders (19 kg) is estimated at 50,000 to 52,000 cylinders. This disruption threatens to disrupt several food-related operations across the district, from small dhabas to large-scale catering services.
The ongoing shortage highlights the dependency on LPG for commercial food preparation and raises questions about the availability of sustainable alternatives in the region.
