LPG cylinder for ₹5,000: Amid shortage, small eateries in Bengaluru buy domestic cylinders in black at five times the price

Amid ongoing LPG supply disruptions, many small-scale eateries have started procuring domestic LPG cylinders at prices as high as ₹5,000 to keep services running. Hoteliers said that while some tried switching to alternatives such as induction stoves and firewood-based cooking, these have not proved viable for continuous operations, leaving them with few options. 

Induction stoves have not worked as a practical alternative for most small eateries, as they are not suited to the scale and pace of commercial cooking, hoteliers said. “The use is limited to tea, coffee or boiling water. Beyond that, it becomes difficult,” Vijay Kumar, owner of an eatery in Vasanth Nagar said, adding that running multiple induction stoves increases power load.