Private hostels start using firewood to prepare meals for the students

Hostels, canteens, and paying guest (PG) centres run by educational institutions and other organisations are hit hard by the ongoing commercial LPG shortage. While some have switched to firewood, some educational institutions have purchased electric and induction stoves.

While government-run hostels are being supplied domestic LPG and are not facing any problems as of now, private educational institutions are facing the heat.

The hostel at BMS College of Engineering in the city has started running its kitchen on firewood since Tuesday evening. “There are about 2,200 students in our college hostel, and we need 14 to 15 cylinders of gas to prepare three meals a day for them. So, we have resorted to firewood to prepare meals. We have bought enough firewood for about 15 days now. If the situation continues, we do not know what to do next,” said Bheemesha Arya, principal.

Biogas used

Some colleges which have switched to alternative sources of fuel are better off. St. Joseph’s College hostel, for instance, switched to biogas many years ago.

“We produce it using the waste generated on the campus every day. It is used for cooking in the hostel. But since the biogas flame is not as bright as LPG, cooking is delayed. But for now, we have no other options. Therefore, we have stopped making food items like idlis, dosa, and deep-fried items that require a lot of gas. We are making foods like chitranna, puliyogare, and others. If the situation continues like this, we will have to buy firewood,” said Rev. Far. Arvind, St. Joseph’s College hostel in-charge.

Induction stoves

Some college managements have decided to purchase electric and induction stoves. CMR Institute of Technology in the city has decided to make this switch since firewood is also not available in the market.

“An indent has been submitted for the purchase of electric and induction stoves. We are planning to install electric stoves on each floor of the hostel to help students make noodles and other things themselves easily,” said B. Narasimha Murthy, vice-principal of CMR Institute of Technology.

Sparsha Trust Yuvika Centre in Yelahanka, a residential home with about 400 children, is also mulling alternatives. “There is enough gas for a week. On Wednesday, the management held a meeting and discussed alternatives such as firewood, kerosene, electric or solar stoves,” said Gopinath, who is in-charge of the centre.