Amid LPG shortage, food prices shoot up in hotels

Puri: Shortage of cooking gas in Puri has started affecting the Puri’s tourism sector, with restaurants reducing items on the menu and increasing food prices by 30% to 40%. The situation has lead to a 10% to 20% decline in tourist arrivals, particularly among middle-class and budget travellers.

Several food items requiring higher gas consumption have been removed from menus. While tourists from financially stronger backgrounds remain largely unaffected, the number of visitors from middle and lower income groups has dropped noticeably. “If the supply situation does not improve soon, the impact on tourism and local businesses could become more serious,” said hotel owners.




Hotel association vice-president Rajkishore Patra said the hospitality sector faced severe difficulties during the initial days of supply disruption. Many hotels and restaurants have now shifted to alternative arrangements such as induction stoves, wood-fired ovens and kerosene stoves. He said large hotels were managing the situation comparatively better, but small eateries and roadside vendors were suffering losses.

Ranjan Das, a hotel owner near the sea beach, said fear of food shortages in Puri has discouraged tourists from outside the state. He said hotel operators have been forced to increase food prices due to LPG scarcity. “Items that earlier cost Rs 100 are now priced around Rs 150, which is causing dissatisfaction among customers,” he said.

Due to LPG shortage many establishments are being forced to purchase domestic LPG cylinders from the black market at higher prices, which is affecting household supply across the district. Residents are reportedly receiving cylinders 10 to 15 days after booking.

District chief supply officer Sanjeeb Kumar Sahu said authorities were responding promptly to complaints and issuing warnings to agencies found violating supply norms. He said priority was being given to domestic consumers and essential service providers. On Thursday, raids were carried out in Puri municipality, Sadar block, Brahmagiri block, Kanas block and Krushnaprasad block, during which 17 domestic LPG cylinders were seized. Earlier raids had led to the seizure of 56 cylinders. Officials said commercial LPG supply in the district currently stands at around 20%.

Residents and business establishments in Puri who earlier showed little interest in piped gas connections are now increasingly opting for the facility amid the ongoing LPG shortage. GAIL Gas Limited has been authorised to supply piped natural gas (PNG) in Puri town.

Earlier, only 18 commercial establishments had taken piped gas connections. However, more than 250 commercial units have now applied for the service following the supply disruption of LPG cylinders. Similarly, while the number of domestic PNG connections earlier stood at around 560, over 20 new applications have been received recently. Officials said the number of applications is increasing steadily each day as consumers look for more reliable cooking fuel options.