Restaurants throughout Tamil Nadu have started reducing their menu selections because they lack access to commercial Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders. Hotel associations report that multiple restaurants will run out of cooking gas supplies within two to three days which creates risks of operational shutdowns unless supply conditions improve urgently.
Restaurants Decrease Their Menu Choices
Restaurants throughout Chennai and its surrounding areas have adopted a practice of serving essential food items because they face challenges in obtaining sufficient LPG supplies.
The popular restaurant chains Annapoorna and Sangeetha have placed notices at their dining locations to inform customers about their temporary limited menu options.
The Coimbatore branches of Annapoorna display signs which explain that their menu selection has been reduced because there is a shortage of LPG cylinders.
The Sangeetha restaurants currently announce limited food options which will remain in effect until the gas supply reaches its normal state.
Restaurants Face Challenges Because of Restricted Gas Access
Hotel operators report that they have modified their menu offerings to reduce fuel consumption. The establishment has already taken out dishes which need more gas to prepare and need longer cooking.
Narayanan who works as a supervisor at Hotel Anandhas stated that the restaurant currently serves only basic items.
We operate our business using the materials that we currently possess. The kitchen now prepares one kurma dish together with sambar instead of offering multiple kurma varieties. The kitchen has stopped making appam at this time. The restaurant will stop creating fast food items if the raw material shortage persists he said.
Restaurants have decreased their side dish offerings to save gas consumption.
The Government Evaluates The Current Situation
The rising threat led M K Stalin Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to conduct a meeting with government officials to investigate the LPG shortage. He has sent a letter to Narendra Modi asking the federal government to resolve the situation.
Delays in Domestic LPG Cylinder Supply
Apart from commercial users, households in Chennai are also experiencing delays in receiving domestic LPG cylinders.
According to a local gas dealer, daily supplies have dropped significantly.
“We usually receive around 1,701 cylinders a day, but currently only about 371 are being delivered. Customers are calling frequently, and it takes nearly a week to meet the demand,” the dealer said.
Residents have reported waiting longer than usual for refills. One Chennai resident who booked a cylinder on March 6 said he has still not received delivery.
“Normally, we get a cylinder within three days. This time it’s taking longer, and the delivery agent told us the delay may continue,” he said.
Restaurants Warn of Possible Closures
Hotel associations say that if LPG supplies are not restored quickly, some restaurants may have no choice but to temporarily shut down operations.
Industry representatives are urging authorities to ensure uninterrupted supply of commercial LPG cylinders to avoid further disruption to the hospitality sector.
