LPG crisis deepens in Madhya Pradesh, 50 thousand hotels and restaurants likely to be locked

Bhopal. The crisis of LPG (LPG) is continuously deepening in Madhya Pradesh. Nearly 50 thousand hotels and restaurants across the state are on the verge of closure due to the supply of commercial gas cylinders being affected for the last five days.

There is a fight for gas from the capital Bhopal to Chhindwara, Indore and Gwalior. At some places, long queues are forming at gas warehouses, while at some places cylinders are being distributed under the supervision of police. At many places, hotels and food outlets are cooking food with the help of wood, coal or diesel furnaces.

There are demonstrations with long queues at various places to get gas cylinders. However, if we talk about the number of hotels and restaurants that are on the verge of closure in the metros and other districts of the state, it has crossed 50 thousand.

The impact of the gas crisis is also visible in the Gandhi Medical College of the capital Bhopal. There is only two days of gas stock left in the 16 hostel messes, JDA canteen and centralized kitchen of the patients on the college campus. There is a waiting period of 25 days on booking commercial cylinders.

Resident doctors say that if the supply is not restored soon, they may have to perform duty on an empty stomach, which may also affect health services. Here, since morning, hundreds of people were seen standing in queue with empty cylinders at the gas agency located at TT Nagar Dussehra Ground in the city.

A huge crowd of consumers gathered from 6 am on Saturday. By 11.30 am, more than 200 people were seen waiting for their turn with empty cylinders. A truck cylinder arrived at 12 noon.

During this time the struggle to get first started. This also led to an altercation between the consumer and the agency. Even after waiting for hours, many people had to return empty handed.

Raisen: People took to the streets when gas was not available
People got angry due to non availability of gas cylinder in Raisen. When the consumers who were standing in queue since morning at the gas agency located on Sagar Road did not get the cylinder even after waiting for hours, they blocked the road.

A large number of women participated in the demonstration. A woman told that neither morning tea nor food was prepared for the children at home. On receiving the information, SDM Manish Sharma reached the spot, reprimanded the agency operator, opened the shutters and started the distribution.

Chhindwara: Cylinder distribution under police surveillance
There is a huge crowd of consumers gathering at the gas stores in Chhindwara. In view of the situation of dispute, the administration has to distribute cylinders in the presence of police.

The effect of gas shortage is also visible in the city’s Indian Coffee House, where breakfast is now being prepared on traditional chulhas.

Gwalior: Food being cooked on diesel furnaces at weddings
LPG crisis has badly affected the catering business in Gwalior. Due to non-availability of commercial cylinders, food is being prepared on diesel furnaces, wood and coal stoves in weddings and events.

The demand for induction stove and coal in the market has increased by 15 to 20 percent. However, according to traders, prices are stable at present.

Indore: The glory of Sarafa Chowpatty fades
The impact of the gas crisis is also visible on the famous Sarafa Bazaar and other food hubs of Indore. Many shopkeepers are making bhajis and sandwiches on induction stoves and electric grills.

Traders say that due to shortage of gas, both taste and work are being affected, while the number of customers has also decreased.

Jabalpur and Damoh: Long queues at agencies
Due to stoppage of home delivery in Jabalpur, people are standing in long queues at gas agencies. Women and men are forced to wait for hours to get the cylinder. A restaurant located near Damoh railway station had to be closed due to non-availability of gas.

Administration claims- sufficient stock
On the other hand, the administration is claiming that the gas stock in the state is sufficient and the supply has been disrupted due to late arrival of trucks. However, the situation at the ground level is still not normal and consumers in many cities have to wait for a long time.

Hotel, restaurant, catering and street food businesses have been most affected by the shortage of commercial gas. If the supply does not become normal soon, thousands of small and big catering businessmen of the state may have to close their shops.