Ludhiana Food Stalls Grapple with Severe LPG Cylinder Shortage
Local food stalls across Ludhiana, many of which depend entirely on gas for their daily operations, are experiencing severe disruptions due to an ongoing LPG cylinder shortage. Owners of small snack outlets and food carts throughout the district report being unable to secure new cylinders despite repeated booking attempts, leaving their businesses struggling to meet daily customer demand.
Daily Operations Crippled by Supply Disruptions
These food stalls typically prepare quick-serve items such as steamed and fried momos, fried chicken, chana kulchas, samosas, and tea, all requiring consistent LPG usage throughout the day. However, with supply disruptions persisting, numerous stall owners have stated that their bookings are either not being accepted or deliveries are significantly delayed. This has forced many to drastically scale down their operations and reduce menu offerings.
Key Areas Affected Across the District
Food stalls in prominent Ludhiana areas including Ghumar Mandi, Rani Jhansi Road, College Road, Dandi Swami Road, and Civil Lines are being compelled to cut down on the quantity of food they cook due to limited gas resources. Many owners emphasize that this situation is directly affecting their ability to earn a daily income, threatening their livelihood sustainability.
Personal Accounts Highlight the Crisis
Krishna, who manages a food cart on Rani Jhansi Road, revealed he has only one cylinder left and is attempting to manage with it for the entire week. He has already discontinued selling fried momos and removed two to three additional items from his menu in response to the crisis. Meanwhile, a tea stall owner on College Road shared that he earns approximately Rs 400 daily from selling tea and biscuits but cannot afford to wait in long queues for LPG bookings. He noted that a family member tried to secure a booking, but the request was refused.
Urgent Appeals to Authorities
Stall owners have urgently appealed to local authorities to address the prolonged delays in LPG cylinder supply, stressing that gas is their sole means of sustaining daily operations and livelihoods. The ongoing shortage not only impacts business viability but also threatens the local food economy and community access to affordable quick meals.
