The capital city is grappling with a severe crisis in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders, leaving the local food industry in a state of distress. From high-end hotels to small-scale street vendors, the shortage has dismantled daily operations, forcing several establishments to suspend services indefinitely. The crisis, reportedly triggered by supply chain disruptions due to global conflicts, has particularly impacted small business owners and students dependent on affordable eateries. Tiffin services and street vendors grounded: The impact is most visible in residential hubs like Nehru Nagar, where a large student population relies heavily on local tiffin centres. Prabhat Soni, owner of Mangalm Restaurant, shared a grim picture: “Our business has come to a complete standstill. We typically consume three cylinders a day, but supply has dried up.

 

We have exhausted our small reserve and stopped cooking entirely. The suspension of services has terminated popular tiffin deliveries, leaving out-of-station workers and students struggling to find regular meals. Similarly, in New Market, fast-food vendor Rajesh Singh and tea stall owner Rajkumar reported closing their shops for at least a week, expressing deep concern over their families’ livelihoods. Amidst the commercial shortage, rumours regarding a potential crunch in domestic LPG supplies have sparked panic across the city. Gas agencies witnessed unusually long queues on Wednesday as residents rushed to secure refills. R K Gupta, a gas agency operator, noted that bookings have surged two to three times above normal levels. “People who usually wait for home delivery are now arriving at the agencies in person.