Panaji street vendors limit fried food items amid LPG shortage

Panaji: Disruptions in commercial LPG supply have compelled the capital’s city street food vendors serving fried savouries such as bhajiyas, samosas, battawadas, and shawarma to either take these items off the menu or temporarily shut shop. Many food vendors have discovered ways to stay in the business.

Short on LPG stock, many have stopped serving dosas, fish fries, or food items that need to be roasted or cooked on a high flame.




A popular eatery, Ashwini Café in St Inez, though continues to serve its much-famous Goan samosas, has discontinued serving kanda bhaji and vada pav, albeit temporarily. Ashwait Gaonkar, the owner said, “We are focused on serving items with less cooking time.”

Prashant Gauns’ gadda at St Inez does a brisk business in the evenings, with their ros omette in high demand. He is now afraid that if LPG supply continues to be shaky, he will have to close his gadda. “My cooking gas will last for two-three days more,” Gauns said.

B N Mahesh runs a small eatery near Junta House, primarily serving thalis and quick meals. “Now, our thalis do not have fried items at all. We closed for a week after the LPG supply became erratic but reopened, keeping the menu simple,” he said.

Priya Amonkar, who has a gadda in Taleigao, has stopped serving chicken cafreal, the most favoured item on their menu. “We ask our customers to visit before 7pm if they wish to eat fried food. We prepare masala for Ros Omelette and boil potatoes for vada pav at home to conserve LPG,” she said.