Bhubaneswar Faces Crisis as LPG Shortage Forces Hostel Canteen Closures
A severe shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has plunged hostels and paying guest accommodations in Bhubaneswar into a crisis, leading to the closure of canteens and forcing many students to return home. The situation has escalated as institutions express helplessness in running their kitchens, with supplies expected to run out within days.
Hostel Operators Struggle with Depleting Gas Stocks
Arabinda Mohanty, who manages five hostels and PG facilities in the city, highlighted the dire circumstances. "We need 20-25 commercial LPG cylinders every month, ordering every 10 days as per our practice. The current gas shortage has completely derailed our plans to operate the hostel and PG kitchens," he explained. Mohanty added that they serve lunch and dinner for 100-120 people daily but cannot continue until supplies stabilize. "We have informed inmates and their parents, urging them to make alternative food arrangements. Some boarders have already left for home, anticipating uncertainty ahead," he said.
Impact on Students and Rising Food Costs
The closure of canteens is having a profound effect on students, particularly those preparing for competitive exams. Pabitra Rout, manager of a private hostel at Jaydev Vihar, noted that their canteen will shut down once LPG stocks are exhausted in the next two days. "Many of our boarders are exam aspirants, and five have already returned to their villages. It's disheartening that we cannot provide food during this critical time," he stated. Rout also pointed out that the price of LPG cylinders in the open market has doubled due to the shortage, exacerbating the issue. "Purchasing food from outside is not feasible either. For instance, a roti that cost Rs 2.5 now sells for Rs 4.5, and vada prices have jumped from Rs 5 to Rs 10 per piece," he added.
Students Forced to Leave as Affordability Dwindles
Mitrabhanu Swain, a hostel resident at Nayapalli, shared his experience after being asked to arrange his own food. "With prices of cooked food and snacks skyrocketing, I cannot afford to eat out. That's why I returned to my village in Angul district and plan to come back only when the canteen resumes operations," he said. This trend is forcing many youths to leave the city to avoid the rising cost of eating outside, with parents also advising their children to return home until the situation improves.
College Hostels Brace for Potential Issues
While college and university hostel canteens have not yet been affected due to pre-ordered LPG cylinders, concerns loom large. A hostel superintendent from a local university warned, "We will face similar problems if the LPG shortage persists for another 10 days." This indicates that the crisis could widen if supplies do not normalize soon.
The LPG shortage in Bhubaneswar underscores broader challenges in urban infrastructure and supply chain management, impacting educational environments and daily life for students and hostel operators alike.
