CHENNAI: Several small eateries in Chennai remained shut on Wednesday as the LPG shortage crisis deepened. Canteens, hostels and hospitals have also cut back gas consumption, either scaling down menus or closing live counters.On Wednesday, about 15% of the city’s hotels closed by 3.30pm after running out of gas, according to the Chennai Hotels Association. Around the same time, representatives from hotel associations met senior officials at the Secretariat, warning that unless gas deliveries resume immediately, another 15% of restaurants could close by Thursday.The shortage is part of a nationwide disruption in LPG supply that began last week amid unrest in West Asia. Oil companies have since restricted distribution, diverting available stock to hospitals and educational institutions. “We asked the state to press the Centre to classify hotels as essential services,” said Tamil Nadu Hotels Association president M Venkadasubbu.In Chennai, restaurateurs said commercial LPG cylinders were unavailable for at least three days. Major chains such as Namma Veedu Vasantha Bhavan and Adyar Ananda Bhavan said they shifted 80% of their cooking operations to electric stoves.
In a list of demands submitted to the government, hotel owners sought a waiver of peak-hour electricity charges between 6am and 10am and again from 6pm to 10pm, as well as permission for low-tension service hotels to purchase power directly. They also urged the government to treat solar-powered hotels as domestic consumers. “The state heard our demands, and we are awaiting solutions,” said M Ravi, president of the Chennai Hotels Association.Meanwhile, clubs such as Madras Gymkhana told members that kitchens would only prepare dishes needing minimal gas. Corporate canteens shut live counters, while hostels turned to simple rice-based meals to conserve energy. “Coffee and tea were only available in the evening. Live counters that served dosa and chappati were not available,” said R Arjun, who works for an IT firm in MEPZ.Hospitals and schools, which were prioritised for supply, were asked to use gas sparingly. Some private schools that bought from caterers also scaled down menus. “We have sundal and bakery items for snacks instead of chaat,” said a teacher at a private school in Vadapalani.