LPG cylinder shortage disrupts small eateries in Mancherial

A shortage of commercial LPG cylinders in Mancherial, linked to the West Asia conflict, has hit small eateries hard. Owners are resorting to firewood and electric stoves, while some have temporarily shut down, as authorities assure measures are underway to restore supply.

Mancherial: A shortage of commercial or non-domestic LPG cylinders, linked to the West Asia conflict, has hit small-time eateries hard in the district.

Owners of roadside hotels, tiffin and snack centres across the district, including towns and mandal headquarters, are facing serious inconvenience due to the scarcity of cylinders, which are the primary source of cooking fuel for these establishments. Many are now forced to rely on alternative sources such as firewood and electricity, increasing their operational costs.

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Boorla Kedari and Kiran, owners of a snack centre in Kyathanpalli, said they were struggling to run their business due to the shortage of cylinders. They said they had no option but to wait for long periods to secure a cylinder and were currently depending on firewood and electric stoves to cope with the fuel shortage. Some distressed owners of hotels and tiffin centres located at junctions and roadside areas in the district headquarters and nearby towns have temporarily shut down their businesses due to the shortage of cylinders. Others said they had stopped preparing dishes such as Mysore bajji, vada and puri, which consume comparatively more LPG, in an attempt to manage the crisis.

Officials said steps were being taken to prevent the sale of cylinders at inflated prices amid the shortage. They said raids were being conducted on eateries that illegally procure cylinders and urged consumers of commercial cylinders not to panic, assuring that the situation would improve soon as the Centre was taking measures to address the issue.