Kamal Ghorui
MUMBAI: A shortage of LPG cooking gas has erupted citywide as a ripple effect of the US-Israel attack on Iran. Disruption in LPG supply has caused delays. Waiting time after booking a refill ranges from two to eight days.The supply of commercial cylinders used by hotels and restaurants has been completely halted, say dealers. Eateries could enter crisis mode.
Already panic buying was visible with bookings having multiplied since Monday morning. Families which hold two cylinders quickly rushed to dealer outlets to make refill bookings.“Moreover, a new notification from the Union ministry of petroleum stipulates that domestic consumers can only book a new refill 25 days after receiving one cylinder,” said a suburban dealer. “It is not like last week when you could book the next cylinder within a day or two.” “At least the domestic 14.2 kg cylinder is still available. The supply of commercial LPG cylinders has been completely halted since Sunday. This will lead to a crisis for hotels and restaurants who purchase these large cylinders,” he said.LPG dealers say hotels and other commercial establishments may be forced to buy domestic cylinders from the black market. “This is illegal as well as dangerous,” they said.One dealer said, “I suggest the govt charge hotels a higher price if it has to, but continue providing commercial cylinders. In any case prices of both commercial as well as domestic cylinders was increased by Rs 115 and Rs 60 respectively on Sunday.”In Andheri, anxious customers arrived at LPG dealer outlets to make bookings on Monday. Some families were contemplating carrying home a cylinder themselves before stocks run out.
