Vizag eateries turn to firewood, hike prices

Operators of several tiffin centres, fast-food outlets, biryani shops and other small eateries in the city are facing significant challenges due to the shortage of LPG. With commercial cylinders becoming scarce and delays in delivering domestic LPG, many vendors have been forced to revert to traditional cooking methods, such as using firewood to keep businesses running.

At several eateries across Visakhapatnam, operators were seen managing with a combination of LPG cylinders and firewood in an attempt to conserve gas. Many food vendors have also increased the prices of their menu items, citing rising operational difficulties and fuel constraints.

Y. Shankar, who runs a tiffin centre at Seethammadhara, said he had no option but to shift to firewood due to the non-availability of commercial LPG cylinders.

“It is extremely difficult to cook on firewood in such hot weather conditions. But this is our only source of income and we cannot stop working,” he said.

Many consumers complain that even after booking domestic LPG cylinders, deliveries are being delayed. They allege that despite repeated calls and requests, gas agencies are unable to deliver cylinders on time, citing shortage and delays in supply.

It was also learnt that some small shopkeepers and eateries are purchasing domestic LPG cylinders from delivery personnel at nearly double the regular price to sustain their businesses amid the shortage.

Meanwhile, the demand for electric kitchen appliances has surged across the city as households look for alternatives to LPG.

A woman prepares food using electrical appliances at her home at Resapuvanipalem in Visakhapatnam on Friday.
| Photo Credit:
V. RAJU

B. Saraswati, a homemaker from Resapuvanipalem, said she ran out of LPG following a recent family function. Although she had booked a new cylinder, it has not been delivered yet, forcing her to rely on electric appliances for cooking.

“These appliances were kept packed away in cupboards as we rarely used them. I had to take them out to prepare lunch for my family,” she said.

With the increasing reliance on electrical alternatives, several people were seen queuing outside shops that sell kitchen appliances. Items such as induction stoves, electric cookers, electric water heaters and air fryers are witnessing a sharp rise in demand.

Nasser Saleh, representing the city’s well-known store Bombay Gaslight Stores at Assilmetta, said the surge in demand has been unprecedented.

“Usually we sell two to three induction stoves a day. But over the past two days, we have sold nearly 100 units,” he said, adding that the store has placed bulk orders for such appliances to ensure sufficient stock in response to the sudden spike in demand.