BHOPAL’Sstreet food and catering economy is feeling fresh heat after oil companies hiked 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders by Rs 62.50 from Oct 1. In Bhopal, a cylinder now costs Rs 2,815, up from Rs 2,752.50 in September, a 2.27% rise. Across MP, Indore is Rs 2,919, Jabalpur Rs 3,030, Gwalior Rs 3,037, Ujjain Rs 2,980 and Rewa costliest at Rs 3,066. Delhi stands at Rs 2,810. Domestic 14.2-kg cylinders remain unchanged at Rs 947.50 in Bhopal. The hike lands directly on hotels, dhabas, hostel messes and cloud kitchens in the Lake City, all dependent on commercial gas. Vendors in MP Nagar, New Market and 10 No. say festive bookings are at peak and they cannot absorb costs. Some eateries are now considering a separate ‘fuel surcharge’ on bills, a trend seen in metros.

 

Naman Agarwal, cloud kitchens and catering owner, Bhopal, said, “We run 4-5 commercial cylinders a week. This hike adds Rs 1,200-1,500 monthly per unit. We cannot legally use domestic cylinders. For Dussehra-Diwali orders, we must raise thali rates by Rs 15-20 or face losses.Small vendors have no buffer and customers bargain hard in festivals.” Caterers warn Bhopal event budgets will rise 5-7%. Trader bodies have sought a subsidy slab for MSME food businesses before Diwali rush begins to prevent shutdowns.