LPG shortage hits Indore eateries: Poha, jalebi prices on the rise

The ongoing shortage of commercial LPG cylinders due to the conflict in West Asia is hitting restaurants and eateries in Indore hard, forcing them to adopt alternative cooking methods and increase food prices.

Many establishments are switching to coal stoves, wood-fired stoves, diesel burners, and electric induction cookers to manage the fuel crisis. However, rising costs are being passed on to customers, with popular breakfast items like poha, samosas, jalebi, and tea now more expensive.

Arjun Singh, an eatery owner, said, “Prices have increased, and the cost of raw materials has gone up. We have raised the prices of snacks. LPG cylinders are also not easily available. Earlier, it used to cost around Rs 2200, but now it costs Rs 3500–Rs 4000. Smaller cylinders are now costing around Rs 2500. Customer footfall has decreased.”

Other restaurant owners echoed the impact. Shyam Lal Dhakkad explained, “The gas crisis has caused a lot of problems. Some are using coal, some are using electric stoves, and some are buying cylinders illegally in the black market. Business has dropped by 40 percent. This directly affects the customers. A plate that used to sell for ₹100 now costs ₹120, which has weakened the entire business. The common people have become very distressed. Because of the gas shortage, from households to businesses everyone across India has been adversely affected.”

Gopal Sharma, another restaurateur, added, “Since the war started, customer demand has dropped significantly, and along with that, the prices of everything have risen so much that it has become impossible to meet the demands of customers. Until there is a proper supply of fuel for the hotel business, neither can customer needs be fulfilled nor can other operations run smoothly. When we increase prices today, the burden falls on the customers, which no business owner likes. However, we are compelled that if everything becomes more expensive, we too have to raise our rates.”

Customers are feeling the pinch as well. SS Pradhan said, “the prices of food were a bit lower earlier, but now they have increased slightly, by around ₹2 to ₹5 per item. It's happening, and it's causing some difficulty. Customers have to pay more, which empties their pockets.” Some eateries have even stopped preparing gas-intensive dishes entirely. Anuradha, a customer, noted, “Well, prices have gone up, but yesterday when we went to the eatery to eat, many items were not available. It was mentioned that due to the gas shortage, they had stopped preparing those items.”

With fuel costs rising, limited LPG availability, and higher food prices, restaurants in Indore are hoping for an end to the West Asia crisis to restore normalcy and regain customer confidence.