Bengaluru's Ironing Stalls Struggle as LPG Shortage Hits Amid Global Tensions
The ripple effects of a geopolitical crisis thousands of kilometers away in West Asia are now being felt in an unlikely corner of India's tech capital, Bengaluru. Roadside ironing stalls, known locally as isthriwalas, are grappling with a severe shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, threatening their livelihoods and leaving customers in the lurch.
From Convenience to Crisis: The LPG Dilemma
Across central Bengaluru, dozens of pressers report that their irons may soon go cold due to the ongoing supply crunch. Many of these small businesses switched from coal-fired irons to LPG-powered ones during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, when coal became difficult to source. This transition, which cost around Rs 16,000 per iron box, made work far more efficient. "Earlier, we used coal, which took at least 30 minutes to heat up. With LPG, it is as easy as heating a dosa tawa," said Muthulakshmi P, a 51-year-old who runs a pushcart ironing stall on Rhenius Street in Richmond Town.
However, the very convenience that helped them survive the pandemic is now under threat. Muthulakshmi has started reducing new orders, as her fuel supply is barely enough for a week. "I work with my son; hence, we require two cylinders at a time. Now that he has gone to our hometown in Tamil Nadu, the consumption is less, but the shortage is still critical," she added.
Desperate Measures and Alternative Solutions
In areas like Richmond Town, several pressers are considering drastic changes. Satyanarayan P, who has been ironing clothes for nearly 30 years, says the crisis has forced them to think of alternatives. "I know it is expensive, but I'm willing to pay the bills if they can provide us with electric connections. That is the only way to survive now," he stated. He has even sought help from MLA NA Haris to facilitate power connections for roadside ironing stalls.
For some families, the situation is already dire. Subramaniam G, 46, and his wife Bhavani G, 38, say their LPG will last barely two more days. "Both of us have been in this profession for the past two decades. We left whatever we had in Andhra and came to Bengaluru in search of a better living. But if this is the case, the only solution is to shut the cart and go back home. We already asked the customers to wait 15-20 days," they lamented.
Impact on Customers and Local Community
With these isthriwalas turning away customers, the local community is feeling the pinch. Richmond Town is dotted with college students and young professionals for whom pressed clothes make a significant difference in their daily lives. The delay in services has left many worried and scrambling for alternatives.
The shortage highlights how global events, such as the tensions in West Asia, can have unexpected local consequences, affecting small businesses and everyday routines in urban centers like Bengaluru.
