Technopark IT firms in Kerala mull shifting to WFH as LPG shortage hits food services

Various IT companies functioning at the Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, are considering shifting to work from home (WFH) mode as the functioning of food courts have been affected due to the shortage of LPG cylinders due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

“Over the past two days, the shortage of LPG has really begun affecting the functioning of the food courts and cafeterias. Some of the counters in the food courts stopped functioning yesterday (Thursday). The ones that are functioning are operating with minimal menu and are preparing only limited number of items. Although no company has yet taken a decision to completely shift to WFH, quite a few are likely to consider the prospect soon,” says Vineeth Chandran, secretary of Prathidhwani, welfare organisation of IT employees.

The crisis has also hit the several paying guest accommodations and hostels in the Kazhakuttam area, where young IT professionals from other districts and States stay.

According to R. Rahul, an employee at a Technopark firm, some of the paying guest owners have asked their tenants to consider returning to their homes for the time being as they are unable to provide food.

Menu trimmed

Outside the Technopark, restaurants in the Kazhakuttam area, which are frequented by IT professionals in large numbers, are also struggling to keep functioning.

“We have cut down our menu to just chicken biryani and mutton biryani. Considering the fact that there is no supply of cooking gas coming immediately, we have decided not to cook Chinese or fried items that need more energy,” says Jeffin, employee of Aasife Biriyani restaurant at Kazhakuttam.