What do I tell them? Gas agencies avoid calls as eateries ring shortage alarm in Bhopal amid Middle East conflict

BHOPAL: The owners and staff of gas agencies in the city have put their mobiles on busy mode as bells didn't stop ringing since Monday afternoon.

"What do I tell them? The oil companies have completely stopped supply of 19 Kg commercial gas cylinders since Monday. Since they get the cylinders easily, maybe by paying some extra bucks to the vendors, they hope that sooner or later they will get the cylinder but it can only happen when we have the cylinders," said the manager at a gas agency in Shivaji Nagar.




The roadside vendors, eateries, hotels and restaurants continue to operate as usual but ask them about LPG cylinder supply and their worries come to the fore. "I used to take 2 to 3 blue gas cylinders daily but on Monday, my gas agency told me that it won't be able to supply cylinders at the hotel anymore. Today, the manager is not picking up his mobile at all. I hope he replies by evening and gets me some cylinders as I can only do with the remaining stock of cylinders till today", said the owner of 6 no stop market hotel.

"Vendors from my gas agency used to come on their own daily to supply cylinders but for the last two days, they are not even picking up the mobile and my problem is that we only have a few cylinders in stock", said Nitesh Vjayvergiya, who runs a small restaurant in Lakherapura.