Bengaluru LPG Crisis: Outcry in Bengaluru as stoves are extinguished in hotels, CM Siddaramaiah seeks emergency help from the Centre.

News India Live, Digital Desk: Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru is currently in the grip of an unprecedented energy crisis. Due to acute shortage of commercial LPG in the city, the hotel, restaurant and catering industry is on the verge of collapse. Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written a letter to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri demanding immediate intervention. The CM has warned that if the supply is not restored soon, the city’s food service system may completely collapse and the livelihood of lakhs of people will be in danger. Demand of 50 thousand and supply of only 1 thousand: Figures scared. Citing shocking figures in his letter, the Chief Minister said that about 50,000 commercial cylinders are required daily for hotels, restaurants, PG accommodation and catering services in Bengaluru. Is. In contrast, only 1,000 cylinders are currently available. This huge gap between demand and supply has shaken the business structure of the city. This historic decline in commercial supply has been recorded after the recent directive by the Petroleum Ministry to give priority to domestic LPG. Iran-Israel tension and ‘Strait of Hormuz’ spoiled the game. This crisis of LPG in Bengaluru is directly related to the ongoing war and tension in West Asia. Due to the increasing conflict between Iran and neighboring countries, the global energy supply through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted. India imports a major part of its LPG requirements through this route. Although two Indian flag ships ‘MT Shivalik’ and ‘MT Nanda Devi’ have safely reached India carrying 92,712 metric tonnes of gas, it is still taking time for relief to reach commercial consumers at the local level. Hotel Association’s warning: Hundreds of shops may be closed. Bengaluru Hotel Association has clarified that many small restaurants and dhabas have already been closed. If the supply chain is not repaired in the next 48 hours, hundreds of other outlets will be closed. The Chief Minister posted on the social media platform ‘X’ and said that the state government is taking strict steps to stop black marketing and hoarding, but it is impossible to get out of this crisis without additional allocation from the Centre. The government has also advised hotels to switch to electricity or other alternative fuels. Relief package and future challenges In view of the crisis, the central government has announced a relief package of Rs 497 crore for the affected exporters. Also, efforts to ensure energy security in collaboration with global partners have been intensified. For a metropolis like Bengaluru, which is completely dependent on commercial LPG, this situation has become a matter of not only economic but also social concern. Now all eyes are on the next step of the Union Ministry whether it comes out of this crisis by providing ‘special quota’ to Bengaluru or not.