The ongoing disruption in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders has triggered concern among paying guest (PG) accommodation providers in Bengaluru, prompting the PG Owners’ Welfare Association to convene an urgent meeting on Tuesday to discuss contingency measures.
The development comes amid warnings from the Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association that thousands of hotels across the city could shut down due to the sudden halt in LPG supply. Such a shutdown would significantly affect thousands of residents who rely on hotels and PG facilities for daily meals.
PG operators warn of food supply challenges
According to Arun Kumar DT, President of the PG Owners’ Welfare Association, the LPG shortage could severely disrupt food services in the city’s extensive PG network.
“Tens of thousands of professionals and students staying in PG accommodations rely on hotels for food. If hotels shut down, many residents will have to manage on their own,” he said.
He further explained that most PG facilities have only limited LPG reserves. “We can run our kitchens for about a week at most. After that, food supply will likely be affected. Residents require three meals daily, and hot water is also needed almost every day. The LPG shortage will hit us hard,” he added.
Measures being considered to conserve LPG
In response to the crisis, PG operators are considering several steps to conserve available LPG supplies.
One proposal is to restrict residents from cooking individually in shared kitchens, as owners say this leads to increased gas consumption. Operators are also discussing reducing the number of dishes served each day and replacing multi-item menus with simpler meals that require less cooking time.
Another measure under discussion is reducing the number of meals provided daily from three to two, if the LPG shortage continues for an extended period.
These steps, PG owners say, are necessary to ensure that basic food services can continue for as long as possible.
Hotels’ shutdown could worsen the situation
The concerns of PG operators have intensified following the announcement by the Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association that thousands of hotels may shut operations if commercial LPG supplies are not restored immediately.
The association has stated that the disruption contradicts earlier assurances from oil companies that there would be no interruption in LPG supply for at least 70 days.
If hotels suspend operations, the impact could extend far beyond the hospitality sector, affecting a large section of the city’s working population.
Over one million residents depend on PG facilities
Bengaluru is estimated to have nearly 15,000 paying guest establishments, accommodating more than 10 lakh residents, including IT professionals, students, and blue-collar workers.
Most PG facilities provide three meals a day, making uninterrupted LPG supply essential for daily operations.
With the crisis showing no immediate signs of resolution, PG owners have urged the government and oil companies to intervene quickly and restore supply to avoid a larger food and accommodation crisis in the city.