Hotels to go for weekly closure as shortage of commercial gas looms large in A.P.

Amid fears of a shortage of commercial cooking gas due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran in the Gulf region, the hotel associations in Andhra Pradesh have formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to address the challenges arising out of the crisis and safeguard the interests of the hospitality sector.

The members of hotel associations in the State, during an emergency meeting on Thursday, held detailed discussions on how long hotels might have to remain closed if alternative solutions are not found. It was unanimously decided to take strict measures to reduce gas consumption.

“As part of gas conservation measures, the star hotels may soon stop accepting online orders through platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy,” said Andhra Pradesh Star Hotels’ Association State president R.V. Swamy. To save gas, restaurants will remain closed every Monday.

The members expressed fears about a situation similar to that in Karnataka. Some hotels in Andhra Pradesh may soon be forced to sell only tea and coffee, they said and urged the government to issue orders restricting the operation of restaurants and street food joints to 10 p.m.

“We have demanded the formation of an enforcement mechanism to curb the black marketting of gas cylinders and requested that commercial gas be supplied regularly, similar to the domestic LPG supply,” said Mr. Swamy, informing that the members would meet Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar to convey their concerns and urge them to protect thousands of workers who depend on the hospitality sector for livelihood.

Meanwhile, many tiffin centres, restaurants, and small-scale hotels remained closed in parts of the State, displaying fuel scarcity signboards. In Vijayawada, the ever-bustling Good Morning tiffin centre, Bawarchi restaurant and a few other places remained closed, while many food outlets along the Beach Road, Old Gajuwaka and a few other parts of Visakhapatnam downed their shutters from Wednesday evening due to LPG shortage.

Some outlets have temporarily closed their kitchens, while a few others are trying to overcome the crisis by relying on traditional cooking methods such as firewood. Many gas agencies have reportedly stopped accepting new booking orders for commercial cylinders, and even domestic LPG deliveries are being delayed, with waiting times extending well beyond the usual two to three days.

Anticipating further disruptions, many business owners are trying to secure additional cylinders.

Members of the Hotel Merchants’ Association of Visakhapatnam have urged the district administration to ensure an uninterrupted supply of commercial LPG cylinders and the latter has assured all possible measures to ease the conditions.