LPG crisis hits T hotel industry, migrant workers bear the brunt

Hyderabad: A deepening LPG shortage, triggered by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, is crippling Telangana's hospitality sector, forcing hotels to shut, menus to shrink, and migrant workers to head back home amid dwindling job prospects.A shortfall of over 50% in commercial LPG cylinders has hit hundreds of hotels, restaurants and fast food outlets, pushing many to either scale down operations or close entirely. The crisis has begun to ripple through the workforce, with thousands of migrant workers — who form the backbone of the sector — facing uncertainty. The hospitality industry employs nearly five lakh workers from states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra and Karnataka. With business drying up, many are now returning to their native places as employers struggle to sustain operations. "After the second lockdown during Covid-19, my brother and I moved to Hyderabad from Odisha. We have settled here, and my children are studying in local schools. However, the owner of the restaurant where I work has downsized operations, and many of us have been informed that we may lose our jobs if the situation worsens. We did not receive our full salary in March, and now I am forced to consider returning to farming in Odisha. I am particularly worried about my children's education," said a migrant worker Prashanth Sahu. Situation severe in distsIndustry players say the situation is particularly severe in districts, where over 50% of hotels and eateries are already under stress, with more closures expected in the coming weeks. To cope with the shortage, several establishments have been forced to alter menus and switch to alternative cooking methods like wood-fired stoves. High gas-consuming items such as starters, rotis and curries have been dropped, significantly affecting both variety and revenue. The crisis has been compounded by a spike in chicken prices and disruptions in poultry supply, further squeezing margins for food businesses. Against this backdrop, civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has urged the Centre to step in and increase the supply of commercial LPG to the state, warning of wider economic fallout if the situation persists.