Rising LPG costs push Guwahati eateries into crisis mode with menu cuts, price hikes and delayed supplies
Restaurants and food outlets in Guwahati are facing growing financial pressure due to a sharp rise in commercial gas cylinder prices. The increase, along with higher crude oil prices, has also pushed up the cost of important kitchen items. Many business owners say they are hoping the ongoing energy crisis will end soon so that operations can return to normal.
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Commercial gas cylinder prices have increased from around ₹1,800–1,900 before the West Asia crisis to nearly ₹3,350 per cylinder, an increase of more than 70 per cent in the last two to three months.
GPlus spoke to several eateries across the city. Many said they have either increased prices of a few food items or are considering doing so, while also trying to keep food affordable for customers. Some outlets have already removed dishes that consume large amounts of gas.
Kingshuk Bhattacharyya, owner of Keri Beri in Christian Basti, said the restaurant has almost stopped making Rumali roti because it requires more gas than regular roti.
“Rumali roti consumes relatively more gas than regular roti, hence we have consciously decided to temporarily stop preparing it, unless some customers particularly place an order,” he said.
He added that the restaurant has also changed some cooking practices to reduce gas consumption.
“Wherever feasible, we are cooking food once instead of multiple times. We are also keeping some food items in the refrigerator,” Bhattacharyya said. “Masala mixes for several food items are being prepared together so that we burn less gas.”He further said the restaurant has not increased menu prices yet, but may revise rates later this month if conditions do not improve.
Ankur Kakati, manager of Fat Belly in Christian Basti, said the outlet has not increased food prices so far.
“We haven't revised our menu card yet,” he said, adding that gas cylinder deliveries now take longer than before.
“We are cooking all the items listed in our menu card. We have started using induction machines for cooking to partially offset the rise in gas costs,” Kakati added. He further said the outlet has a total of 12 branches across Guwahati.
A worker at FoodExx on GS Road said, “We have increased prices for some items,” while reporting similar challenges.
Meanwhile, the manager of Eggivorous Cafe in Lachit Nagar said, “We have completely stopped serving thalis. The café is now focusing only on dishes that require less gas, and we are also witnessing a decline in customer footfall.”
“There is a delay in supply at times; sometimes it arrives the next day or even a day later,” the manager added.
Khargo Rana, owner of Foodie Junction near the GS Road foot overbridge in Lachit Nagar, said the outlet was forced to increase prices because of rising cylinder costs.
“We have raised our food prices by ₹10 for some items. We are not planning another price hike now, because that will invariably reduce customer footfall in our eatery,” he said.
He added, “Now we are only hoping that the conflict in Iran will soon stop, and everything including the energy supply chain will come back to normalcy.”
The impact is also being felt by sweet shops and confectionery businesses.
Speaking to GPlus, the manager of Anjali Sweet Shop in Lachit Nagar said prices of several products have been increased, while items such as gur kalakand and chana goja have been temporarily stopped.
“For Kachori, even though we have revised the rate, we are still selling at the old price. Customers are showing less appetite at higher prices. We are still selling at ₹15 per piece against our revised price of ₹17,” the manager said.
Street food vendors are also struggling with rising costs and lower customer turnout.
Binod Singh, who runs RD Street Fast Food near Lachit Nagar, said prices have been increased by ₹10–20 for some items nd no further hikes are planned.
“After the price hike, we have seen lesser footfall of customers at my counter,” he said.
Chintu Boro, owner of The Street Chef, said he increased prices by ₹10 but does not want to raise them further.
“I am not willing to hike further, keeping in mind the regular loyal customers who come to my place,” he said.
He added that due to shortages and delivery delays, vendors are sometimes forced to use domestic cylinders instead of commercial ones. “We usually use commercial cylinders but during emergencies and short supply situations like now, we are forced to use domestic cylinders. We are also facing delays in delivery from agencies.”
Another vendor on GS Road said he has reduced his menu to only chowmein, chicken pakora and momo since the crisis began.
“We are getting cylinders on time. But at times we need to pay more to agents to ensure timely supply. We voluntarily pay them ₹50–100 extra to get cylinders whenever needed,” he said.
The effect of rising prices is also visible in household kitchens.
According to Crisil Intelligence’s Roti Rice Rate (RRR) report, the cost of home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals increased by 5 per cent and 7 per cent year-on-year in May due to higher prices of tomatoes, edible oil and LPG.
An official from a state-owned oil marketing company, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the supply situation has improved compared to the peak of the crisis. “Supply situation has improved. It is much better now,” he said.
He added that while delivery delays were severe during the peak of the crisis, the situation has now stabilised.
“Before the crisis, commercial cylinder users used to get same-day delivery. In the initial phase of the crisis, deliveries were delayed by 7–10 days. The situation has now improved significantly, and cylinders are being delivered within a day or two of booking,” he said.
Even though the supply situation has improved, eateries across Guwahati continue to operate under financial pressure while customers are also facing higher food prices.