Hotels in several parts of Bengaluru shut down to LPG cylinder shortage, some alter menus

BENGALURU: The LPG cylinder shortage in Bengaluru has reached a critical point, with many hotels and restaurants struggling to procure cylinders. The situation is expected to worsen, with many hotels and restaurants at risk of closure even as the government is yet to announce any relief measures.

Bengaluru’s iconic Kanishka Hotel has shut down due to the gas shortage. The hotel’s management is unsure if it will reopen on Thursday, citing uncertainty over gas availability. “We’ll reopen only if we get gas. If not, the hotel will remain closed,” said a representative.

The hotel has exhausted its gas supply and is struggling to procure more. As a result, they’ve had to cut down on their menu, removing items like Chinese and North Indian dishes, puri, vada, and dosa. Only South Indian meals are available for now. The hotel had booked gas in advance, but suppliers are unable to deliver due to the shortage. The management is considering alternatives, but for now, the hotel remains closed.

Several hotels in Bengaluru, including Kadamba Hotel in Majestic and others in Malleswaram and Rajajinagar, have shut down due to the gas shortage. Hotel owners are struggling to procure cylinders, with some citing uncertainty over when they’ll get their next supply. “Kadamba Hotel is closed due to gas shortage. We’ll reopen only when we get gas,” said the management.

Some establishments, like the Kudla Hotel in JP Nagar and Priyadarshini Hotel in Yeshwantpur, have announced closure due to the shortage. Hotel owners are appealing to the government to intervene and resolve the issue. “Gas cylinder shortage is affecting our business. We’re struggling to keep our hotels open,” said a hotel owner.

The shortage has forced hotels to explore alternative cooking options. “We’re using electric stoves and ovens to manage, but it’s not sustainable”, said another hotel owner. Some hotels have changed their menus, removing gas-intensive items like dosas and idlis. “We’ve removed dosas from our menu to conserve gas”, said the owner of a popular hotel in Malleswaram.

Others are limiting operating hours to conserve gas. “We’re closing our hotel by afternoon to conserve gas”, said the owner of Priyadarshini Hotel. “We have only one cylinder left, and it’ll run out by afternoon. We’ll have to close the hotel after that”, said a hotel owner in Rajajinagar.

The situation is dire, with many hotels in Malleshwaram and other areas shutting down. “We’ve decided to close the hotel due to gas shortage. It’s better to close than struggle without gas”, said another hotel owner.

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has advised members to consider alternatives like induction cookers, electric grills, and combi ovens. “We need to conserve gas and explore alternative cooking options”, said an NRAI representative.