Restaurants return to functioning mode in Kerala but 'at a cost'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Restaurants shut down during the LPG shortage returned to functioning in the state. Hotel kitchens are being reactivated using the available cooking gas, wood stoves and induction cookers. The realisation that the permanent closure of hotels will likely inflict a setback to the sector resulted in the move to open hotels with available resources.

However, for hotels to be as resource-rich as before, the shortage must be eliminated. Currently, breakfast is served in only one or two varieties. In most places, only one variety is available. Lunch is rarely served in hotels. In most places, only biryani is served.

Currently, LPG is available to hotels and catering establishments, although in limited quantities. Hotel owners say that only 20% of the requirement is available this way.

Meanwhile, the supply of LPG cylinders for commercial purposes is only now being regulated. Earlier, traders used to deliver cylinders as per hoteliers' demand. The booking system of most agencies was not working efficiently.

The black market sale of cylinders is still active. A 14 kg domestic cooking gas cylinder costs Rs 922 in Thiruvananthapuram. It costs over Rs 2,000 on the black market. A 19 kg cooking gas cylinder, which costs Rs 1,911, is available between Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,000 in the black market.

Hotels have increased food prices by up to 30% due to the shortage of cooking gas. The prices have been increased even though fruit and vegetable prices have fallen.