Hotel and restaurant operations in Bengaluru are facing a major disruption after a sudden halt in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders, with industry bodies warning that several establishments may be forced to shut down from March 10 if the situation continues.Also, Mumbai’s hotel and restaurant association (AHAR) on Tuesday said 20 per cent of hotels and restaurants in Mumbai have shut down so far due to disruptions in commercial LPG supply.The Bangalore Hotels Association on Monday said that the supply of commercial cooking gas cylinders has stopped unexpectedly, leaving hotels and restaurants without the fuel required to prepare food. In a statement, the association said the hospitality sector provides an essential service, particularly for common people, students, and medical professionals who depend on hotels and eateries for daily meals.“Since the gas supply has stopped, the hotels will be closed from tomorrow,” the association said, adding that the crisis could significantly impact both businesses and consumers if supplies are not restored quickly.According to the association, oil marketing companies had earlier assured an uninterrupted supply of LPG cylinders for at least 70 days. The sudden disruption, therefore, has come as a major shock to the industry. Hotel owners fear that prolonged supply shortages could lead to financial losses and inconvenience for thousands of customers across the city.Speaking to reporters, PC Rao, Honorary President of the Bangalore Hotels Association, said the industry has no intention of halting operations but is left with no alternative. “Without gas, it is impossible to prepare food. From tomorrow, food and refreshments will not be available in hotels if the supply is not restored,” he said. Rao added that the association has already written to Union ministers and raised the issue through Members of Parliament from Bengaluru, urging immediate action.Industry bodies at the national level have also flagged the issue. The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has written to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, highlighting widespread disruptions in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders. In its letter, the federation said several distributors are refusing to supply cylinders, citing a government order issued on March 5.FHRAI has requested the government to clarify that no restrictions apply to the hospitality sector and to direct oil marketing companies to ensure seamless distribution of commercial cylinders.Similarly, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) said suppliers have expressed their inability to meet the sector’s requirements, severely affecting restaurant operations and food availability for the public.Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also expressed concern over the disruption. He criticised the recent hike in LPG prices, noting that the central government increased the price of commercial cylinders by ₹115 and domestic cylinders by ₹60. He said the price increase has already burdened businesses and consumers, adding that the government must address the supply crisis urgently to prevent further disruption.Oil ministry sets up panel The oil ministry has constituted a committee to examine supply issues after a sudden shortage of commercial LPG cylinders alarmed the hospitality sector, with restaurant associations warning that eateries could shut down within days if supplies are not restored.As the widening conflict in the Middle East disrupted fuel lifelines, including India’s LPG supplies, the government has prioritised domestic cooking gas supplies to households. This has led to supply crunch for hotels and restaurants which use market priced commercial LPG.”For LPG supply to other non-domestic sectors, a committee of three Executive Directors (EDs) of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been constituted to review the representations for LPG supply to restaurants/hotels/other industries,” the ministry said in a post on X.India consumed some 31.3 million tonnes of LPG annually. As much as 87 per cent of this is in the domestic sector i.e. household kitchens, and the rest in commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants.Of this total requirement, as much as 62 per cent is met through imports.The US and Israel attack on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation has shut the Strait of Hormuz – the conduit through which India got 85-90 per cent of its LPG imports from countries like Saudi Arabia.As alternate sources are being scouted, the limited supplies available meant the government prioritising supplies to the domestic sector, and in process the commercial establishments have suffered.Industry sources say the disruption has already begun affecting operations in Mumbai and Bengaluru, as hotels and restaurants struggle to secure cooking gas.Vijay Shetty, president of the India Hotels and Restaurant Association, said the shortage is spreading rapidly and could soon paralyse the sector.While maintaining that the country has adequate fuel stocks, the ministry in recent days directed refineries to maximise LPG output by curtailing petrochemical streams and extended the LPG refill booking cycle to 25 days from 21 days.PTI inputs