LPG shortage: Dosa goes off menu in many hotels in Shivamogga

Facing a shortage in commercial gas cylinder supply, hoteliers in Shivamogga were forced to take drastic measures to reduce their dependence on LPG. Many businesses have shortened their menus by removing high-gas consumption dishes, while roadside restaurants have opted to close temporarily.

LPG supply has taken a hit due to the war in West Asia involving the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.

Dosa from the menu

Restaurants offering a wide variety of dosas every day have reduced this. Some have removed dosa from the menu for the day.

“Dosa preparation consumes high amount of gas compared to other food items,” said Dinesh, who runs Sri Guru Raghavendra Cafe in Gopala Extension in Shivamogga. “Normally, we start serving dosa early in the morning, but today we have limited our menu to idli and rice,” he said.

His restaurant needs at least two cylinders a day and has to make do with existing stock due to the current supply crunch.

On the other hand, private suppliers also increased cylinder prices. “Private suppliers have increased the price by almost ₹900 each in the last one week. We bought a cylinder yesterday by paying ₹2,400. The price may increase again by tomorrow,” said another hotelier, who did not want to be named. However, by increasing the prices of food items, it did not pass the sudden increase on to the customers. “If we suddenly increase food prices, we will lose our regular customers,” he said.

Sathish Shetty, who is also a hotelier, said that currently his hotel buys supplies on a need basis. “We will operate as long as there is stock. If we run out of stock, we will close,” he added.

Bureaucrats of the Shivamogga Hotel Owners Association met in Shivamogga on March 11. They appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to ensure supply of cylinders in line with the demand.

To deal with the situation, most of the hotels will either close or cut the menu, said Shankaranarayana Holla, president of the association.