Beginning of the month has given a another jolt to eating joints and event companies as the price of commercial LPG cylinders has seen a massive jump. Starting May 1, the price of a commercial cylinder in Bhopal has reached Rs 3,074, marking a steep increase of approximately Rs 933 from the previous rate. The sector already grappling with shortage of cylinders are now facing price hike. Some of the small restaurants owners are speaking to ‘The Hitavada’ reveal that to run business has become almost impossible for them. Their customers footfall has already been decreased. Situation with marriage garden owners has become more troublesome. who on condition of anonymity says that they have to increase their package value some around 25 % more from the previous one. owner from Indore-Bhopal road situated A marriage garden, says this is the time for earning. Marriage season is at its peak and we had given quotation in advance to the parties but now we can’t alter the rate. In such a situation either we have to lose our customer or bear additional financial burden at our own. “Fuel is a major part of our catering cost,” explained Aman Zaveri, owner of a prominent marriage garden.

 

“For in-house cooking at large functions, we use dozens of cylinders. This sudden spike has changed the entire budget dynamics, and we have informed our clients that we will have to charge extra for food services to cover these new fuel expenses.” The impact is already being felt across the local food industry. Small restaurant owners, who operate on thin margins, say they have no choice but to pass the cost on to customers. “A hike of nearly a thousand rupees per cylinder is unsustainable for us,” said Rajesh Gupta, who runs a popular eatery in MP Nagar. “We were already struggling with rising ingredient costs, and now with fuel prices jumping like this, we are forced to increase the price of our thalis and snacks by at least 10% to 15%.” Larger hotel establishments are feeling the same pressure. Sumit Sharma, a restaurant manager in New Market, echoed these concerns. “While the government suggests we switch to electric cooking, the infrastructure and initial cost for high-capacity electric kitchens are huge. For now, the burden of this Rs 1,000 hike per bottle will unfortunately have to be shared with our patrons through revised menu prices,” he said.