Hyderabad Biryani prices likely to rise after LPG hike

Hyderabad restaurants are likely to increase Biryani and other food prices due to rising LPG costs and supply issues. Owners say the hike could be Rs 30–40 per plate as they struggle to manage growing operational expenses.

Hyderabad: You might have to shell out more on every order of Biryani in Hyderabad soon.

Given the sharp increase in LPG cylinder prices, restaurant owners in the city are contemplating hiking the prices of Biryani, Mandi and other items offered on their menu.

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The union government had hiked the prices of commercial LPG cylinders by Rs 1,000 and the additional burden is expected to be passed on to the customers by the restaurant owners. The hotel industry is already reeling under losses following the restricted supply of commercial LPG due to ongoing Gulf crisis, forcing them to arrange it from the grey market at double the government price.

“Previously, we paid around Rs 2,400 for a 19 kg LPG cylinder and the new government rate is around Rs 3,400, which includes transportation charges. In the black market, we are paying around roughly Rs 1,000 per refill, incurring additional financial burden,” said a hotel owner from Bahadurpura, on condition of anonymity.

To tide over the crisis, the restaurant’s owners had experimented with preparing Biryani and other items on firewood. “It turned out to be a costly affair as we had to hire a function hall to set up the kitchen and ended up spending huge amounts towards rent for the place,” explained another restaurant owner from Lakdikapul.

Now with the steep increase in the commercial LPG, the restaurant owners feel it’s time to increase the prices of items on the menu to protect themselves from financial losses. “It’s not just the current increase in price of commercial LPG; we have come to know there will be another price hike shortly. Then the price of diesel is also set to surge, which will lead to a rise in prices of other commodities,” said a restaurant owner at Punjagutta.

“We are yet to decide the price to be enhanced, but it could be between Rs 30 and Rs 40 per plate of Biryani. Prices on other items of the menu will also be revised,” hinted another restaurant owner.