Eateries on low burner, bachelors stay half-fed

Nagpur: As Nagpur reels under LPG crunch, among the worst hit are bachelors. Living in PGs and rented accommodations with limited kitchen access, many bachelors heavily rely on mess services, tiffin providers, or nearby eateries for daily meals.

With LPG supplies drying up, several of these services have either shut down temporarily or scaled down operations, leaving this segment struggling to secure even basic meals.




Unlike families, bachelors rarely have full-fledged kitchens or spare cylinders. Their fallback options, which are generally small stoves or 5kg cylinders, are proving insufficient amid a prolonged shortage.

In response, many are turning to induction cooktops and portable camping stoves. However, even these alternatives are not easily accessible. Affordable induction units have gone out of stock across several online platforms, leaving only higher-end options priced above 3,000.

"I used to depend on a nearby lunch home, but it has shut due to the LPG shortage," said Siddesh Shirke, a student from Pratap Nagar. "I checked online for induction cooktops, but only expensive ones are available."

Portable butane stoves, typically used for camping, are emerging as a stopgap arrangement. Priced between 500 and 2,000, along with gas canisters costing around 1,000 for a set of four, these devices are witnessing a spike in demand.

Yet, safety remains a concern. "Keeping butane canisters at home is risky, but the situation may force us to use them," said Kush Rathore, a bachelor working with an agency in Dharampeth.

More traditional alternatives like coal-based stoves are impractical in apartment settings. Residents point out that smoke and ventilation issues make such options unviable. For some, induction cooking has become the only feasible solution, despite the added burden on electricity bills.

"Earlier, I used my induction sparingly, but now I have to cook full meals on it. It will definitely increase expenses, and as bachelors, we already live on tight budgets," said Kishore Sable, a professional, from Vasudev Nagar.

The shortage has also affected small-scale dabba services. Kanchan Deshpande, who earlier catered to 25 households in Abhyankar Nagar, has reduced her operations. "Now I only serve a few boys in my colony. I simply don't have enough gas to continue as before," she said.