Mysuru: Hotels and eateries in Mysuru are facing a major operational challenge following a disruption in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders to gas agencies. The shortage is expected to significantly affect the hospitality sector in the district, which relies heavily on commercial cooking gas for daily operations.
Hotel owners have expressed concern that the supply of commercial LPG refills may drop sharply from Tuesday, raising fears of disruptions in food services across the city.
Hotel industry warns of severe impact
President of the Mysuru Hotel Owners Association, C Narayana Gowda, said the reduction in LPG supply could severely affect the functioning of hotels and restaurants.
He stated that agencies have informed the association that commercial LPG supply may be reduced by at least 50 per cent starting Tuesday.
“The hotel industry may not shut down completely, but it will be largely affected. Hotels depend entirely on LPG for cooking, and we cannot go back to using firewood or sawdust like we did four decades ago,” Gowda said.
According to him, hotels and eateries in the city require a steady supply of commercial LPG cylinders to maintain regular food preparation and service.
Livelihoods of thousands at stake
Gowda pointed out that the hospitality industry plays a vital role in providing employment in the district.
He said the hotel sector in Mysuru alone provides around 25,000 direct jobs and supports many more people indirectly through allied activities such as food supply, cleaning services, transportation, and other support services.
“If the supply disruption continues for long, the livelihoods of thousands of employees and workers connected to the industry could be affected,” he warned.
Hotel owners have also expressed concern that prolonged shortages could force establishments to reduce operating hours or limit the number of dishes prepared each day.
Delay reported in domestic LPG delivery
In addition to the shortage of commercial cylinders, some consumers have reported delays in the delivery of domestic LPG refills.
C R Krishna of Little Gas, a distributor of Hindustan Petroleum, said that domestic cylinder deliveries are currently taking longer than usual.
“Customers are receiving their refills four to six days after booking, which is longer than the normal delivery period,” he said.
However, he did not indicate any complete halt in domestic supply.
Agencies clarify domestic supply situation
Another distributor, Meyhul J Patel of Amardeep Gas Agency, also associated with Hindustan Petroleum, said there is no major issue affecting domestic LPG users.
He explained that deliveries are continuing, but new procedures have been introduced to ensure transparency.
According to him, an OTP verification system has been made mandatory for the delivery of domestic LPG cylinders. Customers must provide the one-time password generated during the booking process before the cylinder is handed over.
Officials said the verification measure is intended to prevent misuse and ensure that LPG cylinders reach the intended recipients.
Industry seeks quick resolution
Hotel owners have urged authorities and oil companies to address the supply disruption quickly to prevent further difficulties for the hospitality sector.
They said consistent LPG supply is essential for the smooth functioning of restaurants, small eateries, and large hotels across the city.
If the situation persists, some establishments may be forced to adjust their operations or temporarily reduce services.
Stakeholders in the industry hope that the supply chain will stabilise soon so that businesses and workers dependent on the hospitality sector do not face prolonged hardship.