Jaipur, March 11 – The disruption in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders amid the West Asia crisis is beginning to impact businesses across Rajasthan, where hotels, restaurants, factories, wedding caterers, and tourism establishments are facing difficulties in running their daily operations.
Domestic and commercial gas customers were seen rushing to gas agencies to secure cylinders. There is no fresh booking of commercial cylinders, which has hit various industries.
Industry representatives said the crisis has created uncertainty for sectors that depend heavily on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Restaurant owners say the shortage is already affecting kitchens, while expenses on weddings are also set to increase due to the gas shortage.
"Running a restaurant has become difficult. We have to pay rent, salaries, and other expenses, but without gas, we cannot cook. Dishes like dal fry and many other items require continuous gas use," said Pradeep Singh, a Jaipur-based restaurant operator.
According to the Jaipur Catering Dealers Committee, the city has nearly 6,000 to 7,000 restaurants and dhabas that depend on commercial LPG cylinders. Additionally, several hostel kitchens, mess facilities, and highway eateries also use commercial cylinders for daily cooking.
"My kitchen consumes five to six cylinders a day, and I usually keep only a day's stock. If supply stops even briefly, serving customers becomes a challenge," said another restaurant operator.
Operators of some eateries are considering switching to coal furnaces, diesel burners, and electric induction cooktops due to supply uncertainty.
"We also handle catering orders where large quantities of food are prepared. Earlier, we used multiple cylinders, but now we may have to depend on coal furnaces," said a Jaipur-based caterer.
Some restaurateurs said they may have to modify their kitchens if the shortage continues. "We only have cylinders for a day or two. After that, we will have to replace existing burners with small tandoors or coal-based setups," said another restaurant owner.
The wedding industry is also worried as the disruption comes during an active wedding season. Ravi Jindal, president of Rajasthan Tent Dealers Association, said that the shortage could increase wedding expenses.
"The current wedding season continues till March 15 and will resume again after a month's gap. Because of the LPG shortage, the cost of a wedding could rise by Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000," he said.
"Weddings will take place, but the expenses will increase," he added.
Nearly four lakh weddings are held in Rajasthan every year, and around 30,000 are expected in April alone, Jindal said.
Manufacturing units are also beginning to feel the pressure, as many factories use LPG for welding, cutting, and heating work.
Alwar Trade Federation president Harmeet Singh said, "Factories depend on gas for welding and cutting work. If gas is not available, production will stop. Sweet shops, restaurants, and small industries are all worried.”
"If the international conflict continues and supplies remain affected, the situation for businesses could become serious," Singh added.
Export-oriented industries are also facing difficulties. Rahul Gupta, a representative of Alwar Auto Component Manufacturing Society, said container freight has increased, and availability has reduced.
"We export to Brazil, the US, and Turkey. If manufacturing slows down due to gas shortages, finished goods will remain stuck, and exporters will have to bear losses," he said.
Food processing businesses say demand from some West Asian markets has weakened due to the conflict.
Shashank, associated with the sector, said turmeric exports to Iraq, Iran, and other countries in the region may be affected.
"The export season has started, but demand is almost zero from some markets because of the conflict. Traders have already stocked the produce. If exports do not take place, prices may fall, and heavy losses will be incurred," he said.
In Jaipur's Govindgarh industrial area, production at a crockery manufacturing unit of Borosil has allegedly stopped due to a disruption in LPG supply. Several women workers gathered outside the factory and alleged that the factory management had asked them not to come to work.
Tourism sector stakeholders are also watching the situation closely. In destinations like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur, where hotels and restaurants serve a large number of visitors, the limited supply of commercial cylinders has raised concerns among business owners.
"Hotels and restaurants here depend completely on commercial LPG cylinders. If the supply remains low, it will become difficult to serve tourists properly," said Amit Bhatia, a restaurant operator in Jaisalmer.
"If restaurants shut and tourists cannot find food, tourism will also suffer," said Rajesh Agrawal, a hotel owner in Udaipur.
He said that the crisis will not affect just one industry. "If businesses slow down, money circulation in the market will drop, and the wider economy will feel the impact," Agrawal said.