Hotels get relief as LPG supply restarts:Oil companies begin deliveries after shortage, giving relief to 50,000 entities across state

After several days of shortage, Madhya Pradesh has started getting some relief from the LPG crisis. On Sunday, the rush and tension over cylinders eased in cities like Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Ujjain. However, due to depleted stock, some gas agencies in Bhopal remained closed, triggering protests by consumers and Congress workers. Meanwhile, oil companies have begun supplying commercial LPG cylinders again, bringing relief to businesses. Supply of commercial cylinders resumes Bhopal Food Controller Chandrabhan Singh Jadaun said that the supply of commercial cylinders had remained suspended for the past six days. However, on Sunday, cylinders started being loaded from the depot in Bhauri. He said the supply will begin across the city from Monday. Authorities also received reports that about half a dozen gas agencies were closed on Sunday due to lack of stock. Teams were sent to inspect the situation. Officials clarified that cylinders are usually not loaded from depots on Sundays, which also contributed to the shortage. 11,000 domestic cylinders supplied in one day According to officials, around 14,000 domestic LPG cylinder bookings were made in Bhopal district on Saturday. Out of these, 11,000 cylinders were delivered. On Sunday, deliveries were made from agencies that still had stock, and home deliveries were also carried out in some areas. ‘Like oxygen’ for hotel industry Sumit Suri, president of the MP Hotel Association, described the resumption of supply as a major relief. He said that for the last 6–7 days, hotels and restaurants across the state had not received a single commercial cylinder. According to him, the government’s decision to restart supply is “like oxygen for the hotel industry.” More than 50,000 hotels and restaurants were on the verge of shutting down due to the shortage. Many establishments had switched to alternative arrangements such as induction stoves and diesel furnaces, but these options are significantly more expensive. As a result, hotels had even issued guidelines to modify their menus. Despite the crisis and reduced customer footfall, the association said no hotel or restaurant had laid off employees. Bhopal hotels turn to electric equipment According to Tejkul Pal Singh Pali, president of the Bhopal Hotel Association, most hotel and restaurant operators in the city started using induction cooktops, electric griddles, fryers, electric cookers, and steamers during the crisis. He said the restoration of cylinder supply would bring much-needed relief to the hospitality sector. Street food vendors forced to shut The shortage also affected small vendors. More than 30 street food carts in areas such as 6 Number Market, Shahpura and New Market in Bhopal had shut down due to lack of LPG cylinders. Vendors are now hoping to resume operations once the supply stabilizes. Domestic LPG shortage continues While there has been relief regarding commercial cylinders, the shortage of domestic LPG cylinders continues in many parts of the state. Residents in several cities have had to wait for hours in the heat to get cylinders. In Bhopal’s Jahangirabad and Bogda Bridge areas, the situation remains serious. One resident, Sheeba Khan, said she has been waiting for a cylinder for a week. Although she received a delivery message on March 13, the cylinder has still not arrived. She is currently cooking at relatives’ homes. Administration steps in at some places In some districts, authorities have taken steps to manage the situation. In Gwalior, Collector Ruchika Chauhan said there is no shortage of stock in the district and urged people not to believe rumors. The administration has also set up a control room to address public concerns. In Ujjain, the Mahakal Gas Agency was opened on Sunday despite the weekly holiday to continue supplying domestic LPG cylinders. Protest over LPG shortage Meanwhile, protests were reported from Old Itarsi, where members of the Youth Congress staged a symbolic demonstration against the central government over rising prices and the shortage of cylinders. To mock the situation, protesters lit a stove by inserting a gas pipe into a drain, highlighting the severity of the crisis.