Pune, 27 March 2026: City is witnessing a major disruption in its food service sector as the supply of commercial LPG cylinders has come to a standstill. The shortage has affected not only hotels and restaurants but also small tea stalls and vada pav vendors, many of whom have been forced to temporarily shut down operations due to lack of fuel.
At present, LPG supply is being restricted to essential services such as hospitals and food processing industries. This has left a large section of small and medium food business owners without access to gas cylinders, directly impacting their daily earnings and sustainability.
The worst hit are small vendors who rely on daily income. Tea stalls, roadside food sellers, and small eateries, especially those witnessing peak crowds during morning and evening hours, are struggling to operate.
While a few have tried to continue by preparing items that require less gas, many have completely shut down as their gas stock has been exhausted.
Customers, too, are facing inconvenience as they are forced to look for alternative food options due to the sudden closure of several eateries across the city.
“Running a hotel has become extremely difficult without gas. Despite repeated bookings, we are not getting cylinders. Customers come in, but we have to turn them away. We have now shut operations for a few days, and managing staff salaries and expenses has become a serious concern,” said Sunil Pawar, a hotel owner.
Ganesh Shetty, President of the Pune Restaurant and Hoteliers Association, said, “The halt in commercial gas supply has impacted the entire food business chain. From large hotels to small tea stalls, everyone is struggling. Many have stopped preparing gas-intensive items, while some have shut down completely. If the administration does not intervene immediately, several small businesses may shut permanently.”
The crisis has also affected student life in the city. Several mess services have remained closed for nearly 15 days due to the gas shortage, leaving students in a difficult situation. With no access to regular home-style meals, many are now dependent on hotels or fast food, leading to increased expenses.
Some students attempted to cook on their own, but the lack of LPG availability has made even that option unfeasible, further worsening the situation.
