Small-scale eateries are in a precarious position across the city as rising LPG cylinder costs and uncertain supply have pushed them into recalibrating their daily operations. For vendors working out of compact kitchens and operating on thin margins, even a slight increase in fuel expenses is now directly impacting pricing and profitability. 

 

Ganesh Shahu, who operates a small fast food shop in Dharampeth, spoke with ‘The Hitavada’, “We have been forced to increase prices, but we have been very careful in doing so. My customers are mostly students or waitstaff working in nearby high-end cafes. Even a marginal increase in my prices means they may go somewhere else to eat. I tried to absorb the extra costs of more expensive cylinders for a week, but the possibility of having to purchase them at an even higher rate in the future has made it difficult to maintain earlier prices.”

 

 

Unlike larger establishments, these eateries often function out of small, enclosed setups that do not allow the use of alternative fuels such as firewood or coal. Without access to open spaces or proper ventilation, shifting to traditional cooking methods is not a viable option. Still, difficult circumstances have pushed them into using band-aid solutions. Prakash Nimgade, who runs a Chinese food shop, has turned to his whole family’s assistance to keep his shop afloat. His older son stands at his shop, takes orders from customers, calls home to tell the order to his father, who along with the help of his wife, and sister-in-law, cook the food. Then his younger son cycles back and forth from his house to his shop with the order. “I’m grateful that my home is only a few hundred metres from my shop, but to see my sons struggle like this is heartbreaking. I don’t see any other way to keep my business afloat, and this shop is our only source of income.” He added that, most of his customers have been remarkably patient with longer wait times, but a few customers have left without ordering. “Of course, I don’t blame them, but it has been hurting my business. I don’t know how long I can keep this up.” 

Official statements remain just words for many of these small-scale vendors. “Officials say there is no shortage of LPG, that people should not panic and can manage for a few days,” another vendor said. “But it is easy to say that when your income is fixed. For us, if we don’t earn for even a few days, our families don’t eat.” Mohd Junaid, another small eatery owner, is finding it difficult to pay rent for his shop owing to the inflated cylinder prices. “If I cannot pay my rent, I will be kicked out. Then what will I do?” he asked. “This is not just about gas or cooking. This is our livelihood. We have no financial cushion to fall back on for ours and our children’s future.”