LPG Shortage Disrupts Hotel and Street Food Businesses in Mangaluru

A shortage of LPG cylinders has begun affecting daily life in Mangaluru, forcing several hotels, canteens and street food stalls to temporarily shut down operations over the past few days.

The crisis, which had earlier impacted major cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, has now reached coastal Karnataka. According to local reports, the shortage is linked to disruptions in supply chains caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

In parts of Dakshina Kannada district, several hotels, restaurants and roadside food stalls have remained closed for two to three days due to the lack of commercial LPG cylinders. Even on Saturday, many hotel owners across the district, including those in Mangaluru city, reported difficulty in obtaining fresh cylinder supplies.

Some establishments that had stocked LPG cylinders earlier were able to continue operations temporarily. However, many owners say they may be forced to close if the supply shortage continues in the coming days.

The shortage has also affected the fisheries sector in the region. Fishermen say there is strong international demand for fish varieties such as shrimp, anjal, manji and bondas, which are commonly exported. However, restrictions on the movement of container ships have disrupted export activities.

Leaders of hotel owners’ associations in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts have appealed to authorities to ensure fair distribution of LPG cylinders to the hospitality sector. They warned that if the situation continues, more hotels and eateries may be forced to shut down.

At present, district administrations have prioritised LPG distribution for essential services such as households, hospitals, educational institutions, hostels, dormitories and religious institutions. Meanwhile, a few hotels that still rely on traditional firewood for cooking have managed to continue serving customers.