Ahmedabad is grappling with a significant shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, a situation worsened by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The crisis is disrupting daily life, particularly affecting hostels, hospitals, and eateries across the city.
Many educational institutions are struggling. For instance, at GMERS Medical College on the Sola Civil Hospital campus, the hostel mess has partially shut down due to gas shortages. This left around 150 to 300 students without lunch on Friday, though dinner was later provided. Thankfully, food services for hospital patients remain uninterrupted.
At BJ Medical College, officials have advised student groups to minimize gas usage and consider electric induction stoves instead. With multiple kitchens serving hundreds of students, they’re doing their best to mitigate any inconvenience during this tough time.
The boys’ hostel mess at Gujarat University also faced closure while various private hostels adjusted their menus or turned to alternative fuels. Bharwad Yuva Sangathan’s free hostel near Sarkhej saw reduced food preparation as well; their typical dozens of commercial cylinders have dwindled so much that they’ve resorted to using a wood-fired stove for cooking.
The situation has intensified in recent days. Mess operators report supply disruptions and inflated prices—some claim black market rates have skyrocketed to ₹3,000 or even ₹4,000 per cylinder. At LD Engineering College’s hostel mess, cooks are now relying on traditional wood and coal chulhas due to the scarcity of LPG.
This crisis could hit students’ budgets hard since many rely on affordable hostel meals instead of pricier outside options. If conditions don’t improve soon, they might face increased food expenses that could impact their studies.
The local food business isn’t immune either; thousands of restaurants are feeling the pinch as some shut down temporarily while others trim menus significantly to conserve fuel. Small stalls are switching back to traditional stoves while larger establishments explore electric alternatives or wood-fired setups just to keep operations afloat.
A surge in demand for electric induction stoves and compatible cookware has been noted as households scramble for alternatives amid this crisis. Despite heightened demand, prices haven’t yet spiked according to utensil traders.