LPG Shortage Forces Bhubaneswar and Cuttack Eateries to Adapt or Shut Down
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has triggered a severe LPG shortage, severely impacting hotels and small eateries in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Many establishments are now scaling back operations, increasing food prices, or temporarily closing as commercial cylinder supplies dwindle.
Struggles of Small Businesses
In Bhubaneswar, a popular south Indian food stall at Ashok Nagar ceased operations after exhausting its LPG stock. Owner S Duryodhan had to send his four employees home, citing an inability to pay them without business. "I had LPG for three days, which lasted till this morning, and there's no further supply. I asked my workers to return home and join only after supplies normalize," Duryodhan explained. Previously, the stall used firewood for cooking, but Duryodhan dismantled the setup two years ago due to pollution complaints and fines from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). Restoring it now requires new investment, which he finds unfeasible.
Nearby, a hotel at Ashok Nagar switched to large induction cooktops but limited its lunch and dinner menu to basic items like rice, curries, and dal. Similarly, a small hotel on Nandankanan Road resorted to firewood cooking on Thursday, leading to a Rs 10 increase in food prices as firewood costs rose marginally in recent days. Owner Biswanath Debata noted, "We have limited space, and using firewood causes pollution within the hotel, discomforting diners. But we must use it to keep the kitchen running, as seven cooks and helpers depend on this for their livelihood."
Municipal Response and Ongoing Challenges
In response to the crisis, BMC allowed roadside eateries, hotels, and dhabas to use firewood for cooking. However, this solution is not practical for all. Food trucks at Khao Galis near Ram Mandir and Patia are struggling, as shifting to firewood is impractical for fast food preparation. Sudhir Rout, a cook and owner of a food truck near Ram Mandir, said, "We may have to shut our shop because we have just two cylinders left. Fast food needs a high flame, and with current cylinder availability, running the truck is impossible now."
In Cuttack, tea seller Nrusingha Behera at Buxi Bazaar has been operating only in the mornings for the last three days to ration his LPG stock. He usually opens at 7 am and runs until late evening but now struggles to manage even half his usual sales. "I am keeping the shop open only in the mornings to conserve gas," Behera stated.
Future Outlook and Price Concerns
While most small restaurant and tiffin centre owners have not yet increased food costs, they warn that price hikes are inevitable if the LPG shortage persists for a few more days. The disruption highlights the broader economic impact of the West Asia conflict on local livelihoods in Odisha.
