Our Bureau
Chennai
Restaurants across Tamil Nadu are slashing menus as severe shortage of commercial cooking gas cylinders drive eateries to such harsh measures. Popular chains in cities like Chennai and other districts of Tamil Nadu are serving only essential food to save LPG.
The crisis stems from the US-Iran war in West Asia, which has blocked key supply routes from the Gulf and spiked global energy costs. Government orders now prioritize home LPG for families, leaving hotels with stocks for just 2-3 days. In Tamil Nadu, Annapoorna Hotels in Coimbatore put up notices apologizing for limited options, while Sangeetha outlets do the same.
Hotel owners cry foul. “We can’t make appams or variety rice anymore,” said a Chennai eatery supervisor. Bengaluru’s hotel group warned of full closures from March 10, calling it a blow to workers, students, and elders who rely on them. Associations in Mumbai and Kolkata report 40% of spots already hit, with cylinders in black market fetching for Rs 1,500.
Indian government formed a panel with oil firms to boost production and hear pleas, but hotel bodies demand urgent fixes to avoid “catastrophic closures.”
