Roadside vendors hike food prices amid shortage of commercial LPG in city

Patna: A shortage of commercial LPG cylinders due to the ongoing West Asia conflict has hit small roadside food vendors hard in the city, forcing many to switch back to coal-fired stoves and raise prices. The disruption has not only threatened the livelihoods of hundreds of vendors but also pinched daily wage workers and office-goers who rely on affordable street food for their daily meals.

Vendors selling tea, chaat, samosas, boiled eggs, omelettes, fast food, litti-chokha and bread pakora are struggling to cope with the crisis. Many said they visit several gas agencies every day in search of commercial cylinders but return empty-handed. With supplies disrupted, LPG cylinders are being sold in the black market, making them unaffordable for small traders.

“The flow of customers has declined significantly in the last two weeks since the LPG crisis forced us to increase prices. Customers are now avoiding roadside stalls and bringing home-cooked food in tiffin boxes during office hours,” said Ravi Gupta, a fast-food stall operator near Gandhi Maidan.

Many footpath vendors in Patna have shifted to traditional cooking methods to sustain their livelihood. Several shopkeepers have started using coal-burning stoves made from clay and iron drums.

Abhishek Kumar, a tea vendor on SP Verma Road, said he has not hiked prices for fear of losing regular customers. “Instead, I am using a coal-based stove along with the gas stove to conserve LPG. However, tea preparation now takes more time, which often irritates customers,” he said.

Awadhesh Kumar, who sells bread pakora and samosas on the footpath in Ashiana Nagar, said the gas shortage has altered his daily routine. “Earlier, work began as soon as the gas stove was lit. Now I have to come at least two hours early to light the coal furnace. It takes a lot of time and effort. The smoke burns our eyes and the heat is much more intense, but there is no other way to earn a living,” he added.

Several vendors selling egg omelettes, fast food, litti-chokha, samosas and kachauris have increased prices to absorb the impact of the shortage. The price of two boiled eggs has risen to Rs25 from Rs20, while a two-egg omelette now costs Rs40, up from Rs35. Samosas and kachauris are being sold at Rs15 per piece, compared to Rs12 earlier.

Fast food items have also witnessed sharp hikes. Chowmein, earlier priced at Rs80 per plate, now costs Rs100, while egg rolls have increased to Rs50 from Rs40. Vendors said they were forced to hike prices as LPG cylinders were being sold at inflated rates in the black market.

“A domestic LPG cylinder is available in the black market at around Rs3,000–Rs3,500. Even five-kg cylinders are being refilled at Rs300 per kg,” said Ramesh Kumar, a fast-food seller near Patna Junction.

Consumers, particularly field employees, are feeling the pinch. Kunal Bharti, a Patel Nagar resident working with a private firm, said the higher prices have added to his expenses. “I rely on roadside food during duty hours, but now I avoid it and carry noodles, fried chuda and other snacks in my tiffin box,” he said.