Reports of a cooking gas shortage are emerging from several locations, affecting both domestic consumers and commercial establishments. The situation has triggered protests, panic booking of LPG cylinders, and operational disruptions for restaurants and hotels. In Mathabhanga, a protest broke out outside the office of an Indane Gas distributor, where residents gathered to voice their concerns over the alleged shortage and irregular supply of LPG cylinders.
Meanwhile, incidents of panic booking of cooking gas cylinders have been reported from Nadia and Jalpaiguri, as households rush to secure their supply amid fears of a prolonged shortage. The impact is also being felt in Kolkata, where the central kitchen of SSKM Hospital was reportedly forced to use domestic LPG cylinders due to disruptions in the supply of commercial gas. Small businesses are among the worst affected. In Garia, several small restaurant owners have temporarily shut down operations due to the lack of commercial LPG supply. Similarly, in Park Circus, hotel owners have reported severe disruption in commercial cooking gas supply, forcing some establishments to rely on domestic gas cylinders to keep their kitchens running. The crisis appears to be spreading beyond West Bengal as well. Long queues for LPG cylinders have been reported in Ranchi, while in Bangalore, several hotels and restaurants have reportedly decided to suspend operations due to difficulties in securing commercial cooking gas.
Overall, the ongoing LPG supply disruption is affecting households, small businesses, restaurants, and gas distributors, leaving both domestic and commercial consumers struggling to cope with the shortage.
