Charcoal is new black gold as Mumbai hotels covet wood nuggets; price spirals

Mumbai: Charcoal is the new black gold amid the LPG shortage. Traders in the city's nodal Sewri coal depot are reporting higher sales of these wooden black nuggets that were recently banned as a "polluting fuel" but have now got a temporary reprieve from civic authorities.A surge in demand from hotels and restaurants, canteens, educational institutes and institutional buyers who are unable to procure commercial gas cylinders has raised prices."The retail rate has increased from Rs 35-38 a week ago to Rs 60-70 per kg in local bazaars," said Ashraf Manihar who runs a coal shop at Andheri S V Road. Charcoal is procured mostly from Karnataka, followed by Tamil Nadu and a smaller quantity from Gujarat. Supplier Santosh Pathak said, "Rates have increased although hotels' demand is more for induction than coal. Yet, those who were buying 40 kg are now buying 60 kg." Pathak is at pains to explain that charcoal is not a polluting fuel, unlike mined coal.Given the sudden spurt in demand nationwide, Mumbai traders are finding it difficult to source enough stock to meet the needs of restaurants and hotels. Trader Abdul Quddus Choudhary of Chandivli said, "Fewer trucks are arriving these days. Suppliers are not answering our calls." Amirali Charania, owner, Charania Coal Corporation, said, "We supply to restaurants, hotels, caterers who operate tandoors and grills using traditional cooking methods. In recent weeks we have noticed a clear rise in enquiries and demand.""Many chefs believe that charcoal gives a flavour and aroma that cannot be replicated by electric or gas-based equipment. Yet, over the years, restaurants shifted to electric tandoors, induction equipment and gas-based ‘bhattis' perceiving them as convenient and modern. Prices have doubled in recent weeks from Rs 30 per kg to Rs 60. At present, supply is still manageable. But if demand continues to rise, rates could rise further." — Bella Jaisinghani