Hotels and restaurants in Coimbatore are facing operational difficulties due to a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, forcing many establishments to cut down service hours and reduce menu items. The crisis has been affecting the city for over a week, with hoteliers warning that the shortage could persist for several more days if supplies do not improve. The disruption has created uncertainty for the hospitality sector, which depends heavily on daily LPG deliveries to keep kitchens running.
According to members of the Coimbatore District Hoteliers’ Association, restaurants have been struggling to secure sufficient cylinders to maintain regular operations. Several popular eateries have already begun limiting their menus and reducing cooking schedules to conserve gas. Industry representatives say the situation is not limited to Coimbatore but reflects a broader supply disruption affecting multiple cities across the country.
The crisis is being felt strongly in Bengaluru as well, where hotel associations have warned that many restaurants may be forced to shut down temporarily due to the sudden halt in commercial LPG supplies. Many eateries in the city have reported receiving little or no cylinder deliveries, raising fears that thousands of small and medium-sized food establishments could suspend operations if the situation continues.
The shortage is largely linked to disruptions in global energy supply chains amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which has affected LPG imports to India. As a result, authorities have prioritised domestic household supply, leaving commercial users such as hotels, restaurants and food outlets struggling to secure fuel for daily operations.
The ripple effects are also being felt in Kerala, where hotel owners say cylinder availability has dropped significantly in recent days. Earlier, many hotels in the state received three to four LPG cylinders on a regular daily basis. However, suppliers are now delivering only around one cylinder, forcing businesses to cut down cooking volumes and consider reducing service hours. If the supply situation does not improve soon, industry representatives fear that several small hotels and eateries in the state may be forced to shut down temporarily.
The crisis may also impact households across the country. The central government has introduced a new rule requiring consumers to wait at least 25 days before booking the next LPG refill, a measure aimed at preventing hoarding and ensuring fair distribution during the shortage. Earlier, households could book another cylinder immediately after finishing the previous one, but the new restriction has changed the supply pattern.
Officials say efforts are being made to increase domestic LPG production and stabilise supply in the coming weeks. However, industry observers warn that the hospitality sector may continue to face difficulties in the short term, as commercial LPG supplies remain limited and demand continues to rise.
With restaurants, small eateries and mess kitchens depending heavily on LPG for daily cooking, prolonged shortages could disrupt food services in several cities. Hoteliers across southern India have urged the government to intervene quickly and restore supply, warning that if the crisis continues, many businesses may struggle to survive and thousands of workers dependent on the sector could face livelihood challenges.
