LPG shortage hits Bengaluru hotels: Association writes to pm seeking urgent intervention

Bengaluru : The acute shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has pushed the hotel industry in Bengaluru and across Karnataka into a severe crisis, prompting the Bengaluru Hotel Association to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking immediate intervention.

In its letter, the association highlighted that the disruption in LPG supply has already forced several hotels and restaurants to shut down, leaving lakhs of workers and their families struggling for survival. The association has also approached the High Court by filing a writ petition, urging authorities to restore regular supply of commercial cylinders.

According to the association, Bengaluru alone has over 40,000 hotels and eateries, all of which fall under essential services. However, the complete halt in commercial LPG supply has crippled daily operations, severely affecting both business owners and employees.

“The current situation is unprecedented. We are unable to run our kitchens due to non-availability of LPG cylinders. This has directly impacted nearly 40,000 self-employed hotel owners and over six lakh workers dependent on the sector,” the association stated in its letter to the Prime Minister.

It further urged the Centre to direct the petroleum ministry to ensure at least 50 per cent of the daily LPG requirement is supplied immediately to mitigate the crisis. The association has also sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to discuss the issue in detail and present its concerns.

The letter emphasised that hotels and restaurants play a crucial role in providing affordable daily food to a large section of the population, including auto and taxi drivers, delivery workers, construction labourers, hospital patients, bachelors, senior citizens, and those staying in paying guest accommodations.

The ongoing shortage has not only impacted the hospitality sector but also had a cascading effect on allied industries. Supply chains involving milk, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural produce have been disrupted, leading to financial losses for farmers and vendors as well.

Additionally, the association pointed out that many eateries provide free drinking water and basic sanitation facilities to the public, making their functioning vital for urban life.

Industry stakeholders have warned that if the situation persists, more establishments may shut down in the coming days, further aggravating unemployment and economic distress.

With the crisis deepening, the hotel industry is now pinning its hopes on swift intervention from the Centre and state authorities to restore LPG supplies and prevent a complete collapse of the sector.