Hunger pains in Kerala: Hotels shut down as commercial gas supplies dry up

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The lives of those who depend solely on hotel food and hotel employees have been completely disrupted. With the shortage of commercial cylinders, hotels and teashops across Kerala have stopped operating en masse. Workers in various sectors are wandering around looking for restaurants to satisfy their hunger. Students living away from home are also in crisis. Commercial cylinders have been unavailable since Saturday due to the West Asian conflict.

Some hotels are cooking food on wood-burning stoves. There are some hotels that are operating with reduced dishes and one or two food items. There is a huge rush in those and railway canteens. Even hotels in rural areas are finding it difficult to switch to wood-burning. The possibility and availability of wood in cities is limited, and cooking with wood takes more time.

Officials say that there is currently no shortage of domestic cylinders. However, that too is not available. Customers say they are unable to book and even if they book, they do not get it on time.

Priority for essential sectors

Amid the situation of non-availability of commercial cylinders, cooking gas companies are seeking details of establishments in the essential sector. They have asked distribution agencies for a list. Efforts are being made to provide the required cylinders to places like hospitals and hostels. There is also a strong demand for such establishments to be given priority.