Gas shortage shuts eateries; diesel curbs hit Vizag

The impact of the ongoing war is being felt in Visakhapatnam, with a shortage of cooking gas leading to the closure of roadside tiffin centres and restrictions on diesel supply affecting industrial and maritime activity.

Several small eateries have shut down in recent days due to the lack of LPG. Each unit supports multiple families, leaving many without a steady source of income. “We depend on this business. Now, we do not know how to support our families,” said a tiffin centre operator.

The closures have affected the local supply chain. Grocery stores that supply pulses, spices, and cooking oil to hotels and tiffin centres are reporting a decline in business. Traders estimate a 30–40% drop in daily turnover. In Akkayyapalem, nearly half the hotels have shut, affecting nearby kirana stores. “Our sales have fallen over the past week,” said Suresh, a local grocer.

Cooking oil prices have increased amid supply constraints. Sunflower oil prices have gone up by about ₹20 per litre, while other brands have recorded small increases. Traders attribute this to reduced imports and limited wholesale supply. “Earlier, we used to get 10 to 20 boxes. Now, we are getting only two or three,” a retailer said.

In contrast, prices of rice and pulses have declined due to lower exports and improved domestic availability. Rice prices have dropped by ₹100 per 26-kg bag. Pulses such as red gram, black gram, and green gram have fallen by about ₹20 per kg. Groundnut prices have dropped by ₹40 per kg. Traders said these reductions are not reflected in large retail chains. “Smaller shops have started reducing prices,” a trader said.

In Akkayyapalem, hotel operators said the gas shortage has forced them to stop operations. “Even at ₹2,000 per cylinder, gas is not available,” said Vikram Kumar. Several roadside establishments, including well-known tiffin centres, remain closed.

Diesel supply has also been reduced over the past three days. Fuel stations have been instructed not to supply more than 100 litres per entity, affecting ships, boats, and industries. “We used to get diesel as required. Now, the limits are affecting our work,” said an industry representative.

The restrictions on essential supplies have raised concerns among traders and industry stakeholders about further disruptions if the situation continues.