LPG Shortage Hits Restaurants, NRAI Issues Advisory

New Delhi: Restaurants in parts of India are facing difficulties due to a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders. In response, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has issued an advisory asking eateries to conserve fuel and adopt alternative cooking methods to keep kitchens operational.

Industry leaders warn that if the supply disruption continues, restaurants—especially smaller establishments—could face serious operational challenges.

Geopolitical Developments Disrupt LPG Supply

According to NRAI, ongoing geopolitical developments have affected the commercial LPG supply chain. This disruption has created uncertainty for restaurants that depend heavily on LPG for daily cooking.

The association cautioned that the situation could worsen if supply does not stabilise soon, potentially impacting food service businesses across several cities.

Restaurants Already Feeling the Impact

The crisis has already begun affecting some eateries in major cities like Mumbai. Some restaurants were reportedly forced to temporarily suspend operations after running out of commercial LPG cylinders and failing to secure immediate replacements from suppliers.

Industry stakeholders say such incidents highlight the vulnerability of restaurants that rely entirely on LPG for kitchen operations.

NRAI Advises Menu Rationalisation

To cope with the situation, NRAI has advised restaurants to temporarily rationalise their menus. Eateries are encouraged to prioritise dishes that require less gas and shorter cooking cycles.

The association believes that careful menu planning can help restaurants reduce LPG consumption while continuing to serve customers.

Fuel-Saving Measures for Kitchens

NRAI has also suggested several practical steps to save fuel in restaurant kitchens.

These include batch cooking instead of multiple small cooking cycles, using lids and pressure cookers to reduce cooking time, and pre-soaking grains and legumes before cooking. Restaurants are also advised to switch off burners when not in use and ensure utensils match the burner size to avoid flame wastage.

Exploring Alternatives to LPG

The advisory further recommends exploring temporary alternatives such as induction stoves, electric griddles, convection ovens, rice cookers and steamers.

According to NRAI, even partial use of electric appliances can significantly reduce dependence on LPG during the current supply disruption.

Industry observers say restaurants are now closely monitoring the situation, hoping the LPG supply stabilises soon to avoid wider disruptions in the food service sector.