Pune Restaurants Grapple with Severe LPG Shortage, Forcing Closures and Menu Cuts
In Pune, a critical shortage of commercial LPG cylinders is wreaking havoc on the city's food service industry, with nearly 100 out of an estimated 1,200 eateries already impacted. According to the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Pune chapter, the supply suspension since Monday has led to widespread operational disruptions, including reduced capacities, menu item eliminations, and complete kitchen shutdowns.
Immediate Impact on Small and Large Establishments
Saili Jahagirdar, head of NRAI Pune, highlighted that the situation deteriorated rapidly throughout the day as restaurants began depleting their cylinder stocks. "Many small eateries, bakeries, and snack joints have already closed today," she stated. "Several are operating at 50% capacity, and by the end of the day, some will exhaust whatever cylinders they have. There is no new stock coming in, and in a couple of days many kitchens will run dry."
The shortage is hitting smaller establishments first, but larger restaurants and hotels are also feeling the strain. Jahagirdar added, "Even bigger kitchens are worried because there is no clarity on supply. Hotels cannot stop operations because guests are staying, so this is becoming a serious issue for them as well."
Menu Adjustments and Operational Challenges
To conserve gas, many restaurants have started removing slow-cooking dishes from their menus. Items such as dal makhani, gravies, and other preparations requiring continuous gas use are being cut. Additionally, tandoors that rely on gas are becoming non-functional, forcing some establishments to consider halting naan and roti items.
Restaurant owners face significant hurdles in switching to alternatives like induction or electric equipment at short notice. This lack of flexibility exacerbates the crisis, leaving many with limited options to maintain operations.
Effects on Food Delivery and Blackmarketing Concerns
The LPG shortage is also impacting online food delivery platforms. Jahagirdar noted that orders on Swiggy and Zomato are declining as restaurants reduce their operations. "Orders are getting affected because some restaurants cannot fulfil them, and some items are no longer available on the menu," she explained.
Compounding the issue, an NRAI source reported that the shortage has spurred blackmarketing of commercial cylinders in the open market. Gaurav Duvedi, CEO of Vishnu Ji Ki Rasoi, revealed that cylinders are being sold at exorbitant rates. "Some people are quoting Rs5,000–6,000 for a 19kg cylinder, which normally costs around Rs1,800–1,900, and even then there is no guarantee of supply," he said.
Industry Leaders Warn of Impending Shutdowns
Gaurav Duvedi expressed concern over the dwindling stock, stating that restaurants may not be able to continue operations after the weekend. "We may manage for two-three days, but after that it will be difficult. We have already taken weekend bookings, but agencies are saying their stock is over," he lamented.
Amit Sharma, past-president of the Poona Hoteliers Association and current general manager at Amanora The Fern, Pune, emphasized that hotels are currently managing but face tough decisions if the supply issue persists. "As of now, hotels in Pune are somehow managing the situation and trying their best to ensure that guests do not face inconvenience, including those ordering through room service. However, if the LPG supply situation continues like this for a longer period, we may be compelled to trim menus, look at alternative cooking arrangements, or in some cases, even temporarily shut operations," he warned.
Exploration of Temporary Alternatives
Sanat Sarpotdar, owner of Poona Guest House and secretary of NRAI Pune chapter, noted that most restaurants have stock for only a few days and are exploring temporary solutions. "We have stock for only two-three days across our outlets. We are exploring options such as induction cooking to keep kitchens running, but this cannot fully replace LPG," he said.
The ongoing commercial LPG distribution curbs pose a severe threat to Pune's vibrant food service sector, with industry stakeholders urgently calling for resolution to prevent further economic damage and service disruptions.
