A shortage of commercial LPG cylinders could force nearly 70% of restaurants and hotels across Kerala to shut down by the weekend if supplies are not restored soon.
According to the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association, the disruption has severely affected daily operations, as many outlets rely on regular cylinder deliveries and keep minimal stock. The association stated that the sudden shortage has left several establishments with no choice but to stop functioning.
Industry representatives said the situation arose following supply interruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict, which affected shipping and fuel availability. The Union government reportedly restricted commercial LPG distribution to essential services such as hospitals, further tightening supply for the hospitality sector.
Hotel association officials estimate that most restaurants currently operating have fuel that will last only a few more days. On average, even a small restaurant consumes at least two commercial cylinders daily, each containing about 47.5 kg of LPG.
To manage the crisis, the association has advised hotels and restaurants to reduce menu items, limit working hours, and adopt other temporary measures, steps that several outlets have already started implementing.
