Bengaluru hotels may shut from March 10 due to LPG supply crisis
Hotel and restaurant operations in Bengaluru may be affected from March 10 after a halt in commercial LPG cylinder supply, the Bangalore Hotels Association said. The body urged the Union government to restore supply, warning that closures could affect daily meals for many people
Bengaluru: Hotel and restaurant operations in the city are likely to be affected starting March 10 following a sudden halt in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders, the Bangalore Hotels Association said on Monday.
This development comes amid rising energy costs and supply constraints caused by the West Asia conflict.
“Since the gas supply has stopped, the hotels will be closed from tomorrow,” the association said in a release.
Noting that the supply of commercial gas cylinders stopped on Monday, it said that since the hotel industry is an essential service, common people, students and medical professionals who rely on hotels for daily meals will be affected.
“In addition, our hotel industry will also face difficulties until the gas supply returns to normal,” it added.
The association said oil companies had guaranteed an uninterrupted gas supply for 70 days, making the sudden stoppage a big blow to the hotel industry.
“Therefore, we expect the concerned Union Ministers to take appropriate action immediately in this matter and resume commercial gas supply and provide cooperation to the hotel industry,” it added.
Speaking to reporters, P C Rao, Honorary President of the Bangalore Hotels Association, said hotel owners are unwilling to suspend operations for any reason, but the situation has made it inevitable for most of them to shut down.
“Without gas, food and refreshments will not be available at the hotels starting tomorrow. Hotels will not open. We have spoken and have sent communications to central ministers. We have also brought the matter to their notice through some MPs from Bengaluru. Without gas, it will not be possible to prepare food, so the government should respond immediately. Let them cut supplies to an extent if required. We too are aware of the situation and know the reasons,” he added.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed concern over the supply chain disruption and said the rise in LPG prices was a separate issue.
The central government increased the price of LPG cylinders for commercial use by Rs 115 and for domestic use by Rs 60, he said, adding that everyone felt the increase was high and that the move was not right.