LPG curbs shadow Akshaya Tritiya, 35k weddings in MP face fuel stress

Indore: A peak wedding weekend is turning into a supply stress test. With nearly 35,000 weddings lined up across Madhya Pradesh on April 19–20 for Akshaya Tritiya, restrictions on commercial LPG cylinders are beginning to strain large-scale catering operations, forcing hotels and families to improvise. Hotels, banquet halls and dharamshalas in Indore and Bhopal are running at full capacity, but kitchens are operating under tight fuel supply conditions, exposing vulnerabilities in handling demand surges during disruptions. "Supply of commercial cylinders is still a challenge. With around 35,000 weddings happening on account of Akshaya Tritiya, we have asked the administration to ensure smooth supply to hotels," said Sumit Suri, chairman of the MP committee of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India. In Indore alone, around 300 wedding venues and 250 dharmashalas are fully booked, leaving little room for flexibility if supplies tighten further. The demand spike comes amid supply constraints linked to geopolitical disruptions affecting logistics. While domestic LPG supply remains stable, commercial cylinders used by caterers and bulk kitchens are under pressure. Caterers say the stress is already being passed on to families. "We are managing with available stocks, but for large gatherings, it becomes risky. Caterers have switched to diesel bhatti and induction in many cases, and the govt is also helping in managing supplies. Clients are being advised to keep backup cylinders ready," said Ajay Jain, zonal chairman of the MP Catering Association. Across cities, operators have begun cutting down menus, reducing live counters and, in several cases, asking families to arrange additional cylinders to ensure uninterrupted cooking. Industry estimates suggest a typical wedding consumes 10–12 commercial LPG cylinders of 19 kg each. With tens of thousands of ceremonies concentrated over two days, demand is expected to surge sharply. A senior oil company official, requesting anonymity, said, "Demand for commercial cylinders in MP is around 250–300 MT per day, translating to roughly 15,000 cylinders of 19 kg each. OMCs have adequate stocks and are prepared to meet the surge. Distributors are also ready with inventory." The timing has amplified the pressure. "Akshaya Tritiya falls over two days this year, April 19 and 20, and weddings will take place on both days. This is a period when muhurats are not required," said Acharya Pandit Ramchandra Sharma, president of the Madhya Pradesh Jyotish and Vidyut Parishad. "April has only four to five wedding dates, and after May 17, Adhik Maas begins for nearly a month, when weddings are traditionally avoided," he added. Mass marriage ceremonies, typically held in large numbers on Akshaya Tritiya, are expected to further stretch catering and fuel logistics. In Bhopal, operators are already shifting strategies. "Marriage gardens are cutting down on menus and switching to induction and diesel bhatti to manage the situation," said Tejkul Pal Singh, president of the Bhopal Hotel and Restaurant Association. Families, already dealing with rising costs, are now factoring in fuel availability. "Everything was booked months in advance, but this gas issue has come up suddenly. We are coordinating with vendors and exploring alternatives like electric cooking for smaller functions," said Rupesh Agrawal, a parent preparing for a wedding in Indore. While no large-scale cancellations have been reported yet, industry voices say the situation highlights a larger concern.