Kolkata's Home-Based Food Industry Faces Severe Disruption Due to LPG Shortage
The ongoing LPG crisis in Kolkata has created significant challenges for the city's home-based tiffin and food delivery businesses. Numerous food service providers are being forced to either scale back their operations or suspend them entirely due to the cooking fuel shortage.
Widespread Impact on Daily Life
This disruption has severely affected people who depend on these affordable meal services. Paying guests, particularly young professionals working in the service sector, and students are experiencing the most severe consequences of this crisis.
"I have informed my customers that I can no longer provide them with cooked meals," explained Tapashi Seal, a homemaker from Jadavpur who runs a small food service. "If I cook food for them, I may not be able to do the same for my family. I will restart my business once the LPG supply returns to normal."
Alternative Cooking Methods and Business Interruptions
Some entrepreneurs are turning to alternative cooking methods to keep their businesses running. Srirupa Ghosh, a 45-year-old who operates a home delivery service in Bijoygarh, has switched to induction cooking to continue her operations.
For 50-year-old Babli Chakraborty, who provides food delivery services in Bikramgarh, the situation has been particularly challenging. Her LPG cylinder was completely exhausted, forcing her to pause her service temporarily. After waiting a week for a refill, she was able to resume her business, but not without difficulties in meal preparation.
"Many of my clients — office-goers and college students — were financially affected when my affordable tiffin service was unavailable," Chakraborty noted, highlighting the broader economic impact of the LPG shortage.
Larger Businesses Also Affected
The crisis has not spared larger food delivery establishments either. Many have been forced to reduce their menu offerings significantly to remain operational during this challenging period.
The LPG shortage has created a ripple effect throughout Kolkata's food service industry, demonstrating how essential cooking fuel is to maintaining the city's informal economy and supporting those who rely on affordable meal options.
