Roadside eateries in Vizag trim menus amid fuel crunch

Visakhapatnam: Roadside eateries that serve affordable rotis, snacks, and fast food to Vizagites are facing uncertain days as the LPG crisis deepens. Many vendors say they may suspend operations if supplies do not improve.With commercial LPG cylinders in short supply, stalls across the city have trimmed menus — dropping high-gas dishes like dosas, uttapams, and parathas. Some owners have already raised food prices, while others warn they may soon shut down. "We are buying cylinders from the black market. What cost ₹2,000 earlier now costs nearly ₹3,000, and supply is still erratic. We had no choice but to increase food prices by ₹5–₹15," said Kumar, a stall owner. Vendors say the shortage has pushed cylinders into the black market at inflated rates. Popular stalls selling rava dosa, chicken pakoda, biryani, and fried chicken — priced between ₹120 and ₹150 per plate — now fear survival as customers resist higher prices."We had to raise the price of samosa and mirchi bajji by ₹5 because LPG costs have jumped over 50% in the black market," said Laxmi, another vendor. She worries whether she can even open her stall in the coming days, as suppliers offer no clarity on deliveries.The combination of rising black-market rates and falling supply has left hundreds of roadside eateries and small restaurants across Vizag struggling to stay afloat.