Bhopal Businesses Seek Limited LPG Supply to Prevent Shutdowns

CAIT Urges Madhya Pradesh Government to Restore Limited Commercial LPG Supply in Bhopal​

Traders Warn of Possible Shutdown of Hospitality Sector Amid LPG Shortage​

Bhopal, March 14: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Saturday urged the Madhya Pradesh administration to immediately restore a limited supply of commercial LPG cylinders in Bhopal, warning that continued shortages could lead to a complete shutdown of the city's hospitality and food service sector.

According to the traders' body, prolonged disruption in LPG supply may force hotels, restaurants, and sweet shops to halt operations, threatening thousands of livelihoods and affecting daily food services across the state capital.

CAIT Calls Hospitality Sector an Essential Service​

CAIT Bhopal district president Dharmendra Sharma said in a statement that the hospitality sector should be treated as an essential service, similar to the classification it received during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He stated that limited LPG availability has already placed severe pressure on food service establishments in the city, making it increasingly difficult for businesses to continue operations.

West Asia Crisis Impacting LPG Availability​

The current shortage is linked to disruptions in global energy supplies triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The situation has been aggravated by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime passage between Iran and Oman, which has affected the movement of crude oil and petroleum products.

CAIT said the resulting constraints in LPG supply across the country have begun impacting commercial establishments dependent on gas-based cooking systems.

Alternative Cooking Options Not Immediately Feasible​

Sharma noted that some business owners have started placing orders for induction-based cooking systems as a potential alternative. However, these systems are expected to take seven to ten days to arrive.

He added that restaurants would also need to upgrade their electrical capacity to operate induction systems, which cannot be implemented immediately, making the option impractical in the short term.

The administration's suggestion to switch to wood-fire cooking has also been rejected by traders. Sharma explained that most hotel and restaurant kitchens are designed for modern gas-based equipment, and installing wood-fired stoves would not be technically feasible.

He also highlighted concerns related to safety and hygiene in adopting such alternatives.

CAIT Seeks Immediate Limited LPG Relief​

The traders' body has requested the administration to restore a limited supply of commercial LPG cylinders to ensure the continued functioning of the hospitality sector.

Sharma noted that hospitals and other essential services are currently receiving priority in LPG allocation. He said the food service sector should also be granted similar limited relief to prevent disruptions to the city's food supply system and to protect the livelihoods dependent on the industry.