‘Many hotels, restaurants may soon shutdown in Mysuru if LPG supply is not restored immediately’

Even as a deepening shortage of commercial LPG has pushed the hotel and restaurant industry in Mysuru into crisis, operators here are warning that many establishments may soon shut down if urgent steps are not taken to restore supplies.

The Hotel Owners’ Association said its members were struggling to carry out even basic operations due to the non-availability of cooking gas. The association president C. Narayana Gowda said the situation has turned critical, as distributors have failed to supply the required LPG despite repeated appeals.

“If at least 20% of the required commercial LPG are not supplied, then it will be extremely difficult to run hotels. At present, even making tea and coffee has become a challenge,” he said.

The association had earlier written to the Deputy Commissioner on March 13, seeking intervention to ensure at least 50% of normal LPG supply. However, with no improvement, a fresh appeal was made on Tuesday seeking a minimum of 20% supply to keep operations afloat.

“Even this basic requirement is not being met, making it increasingly difficult for hotels to function,” Mr. Gowda added.

With LPG supplies dwindling, the hotel owners have been forced to turn to alternative fuels such as firewood, leading to a sharp rise in costs. The price of firewood has surged to around ₹6,000 per tonne, he said.

As a result, most hotels have reduced the number of items on their menus, removing several items that require higher cooking time or fuel consumption. Industry representatives warned that more items could disappear from menus in the coming days if the situation did not improve.

The association noted that the hotel industry in Mysuru district comprises over 1,500 establishments and supports nearly 25,000 livelihoods. Given Mysuru’s status as a major tourist destination, any disruption in hotel services could inconvenience both tourists and residents, particularly those who rely on eateries for daily meals.

The association has also urged the Deputy Commissioner to fast-track the gas pipeline project, which it believes would provide a more reliable fuel supply and prevent such crises in the future.

In the absence of adequate LPG supply, several small eateries have begun using induction stoves to continue limited operations, mainly preparing tea and coffee. Some larger establishments have placed orders for heavy-duty induction equipment, though availability remains limited and delivery may take time.

Meanwhile, a few hotels have increased food prices, citing the higher cost of procuring cooking fuel from private sources, adding to the burden on customers even as menu options continue to shrink.