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Over 800 hotels and restaurants across Thane city of Maharashtra could be forced to shut operations as commercial LPG supplies continue to decline, industry representatives have warned. The shortage is linked to ongoing supply chain disruptions caused by the escalating military conflict in West Asia, reported the PTI.

According to the Thane City Hotel Association, many establishments have only a few days’ worth of gas remaining, raising fears of widespread closures if supplies are not restored promptly.

Raghunath Shetty, secretary of the Thane City Hotel Association, said most food establishments currently have only five to six days of LPG stock left, as per the PTI.

He cautioned that if deliveries are not resumed quickly, many businesses may have no option but to suspend operations. Suppliers have already warned hotel operators that the situation could worsen in the coming days.

Black market emerges

The shortage has also triggered concerns about black marketing of LPG cylinders.

Ratnakar Shetty, vice-president of the association, alleged that certain vendors are taking advantage of the situation by charging inflated prices. Some suppliers are reportedly demanding an additional Rs 400 per cylinder in the black market, according to the PTI.

He also noted that only around 30 per cent of hotels in Thane have access to piped gas connections. The remaining 70 per cent rely entirely on LPG cylinders, making them particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.

Heavy dependence on commercial LPG

Restaurants and hotels in the city typically depend on 19.5-kg commercial LPG cylinders for their daily operations.

Large establishments may consume as many as two cylinders each day, while smaller eateries generally use one cylinder every two days. With such high consumption levels, even a short-term disruption in supply can severely affect business continuity, the news agency reported.

Industry appeals for urgent govt intervention

Hospitality industry representatives have urged government authorities and oil marketing companies to intervene immediately. They have called for a more streamlined distribution mechanism to prevent hoarding and ensure that cylinders reach businesses without delay.

The association warned that prolonged shortages could threaten the livelihoods of thousands of workers employed in Thane’s hospitality sector, as per the PTI.

Centre directs states to monitor LPG supply

Amid reports of shortages across parts of the country linked to the West Asia conflict, the central government has asked states and Union territories to closely monitor LPG distribution.

The state authorities have been instructed to prevent hoarding and black marketing of cylinders while ensuring adequate supplies reach commercial and domestic consumers, the news agency reported.

(with PTI inputs)