Tea stalls looking at electric option to replace gas

Trichy: As LPG gas shortage continues to take a toll on small establishments like tea stalls, many outlets are gradually shifting to electric equipment.With no clear timeline in view for normalcy to set in, vendors say the transition, though costly, has become unavoidable to keep their businesses running. For weeks now, irregular supply of LPG cylinders and delays in refills have forced tea shop owners to either cut down production or shut down temporarily. "We cannot afford to lose customers every day. Even if electricity costs more, we need a reliable option. We have replaced LPG with induction stoves and electric boilers in all our five branches," said a worker at Naganathar Tea Stall.However, some smaller shops with limited income continue to rely on gas. "The fridge we run itself results in a bill of ₹7,000. We cannot afford to switch to electricity. Though gas prices are skyrocketing in the black market, we will continue to use gas as long as it is available," said Ayyappan, a tea stall owner. Commercial LPG cylinders, which earlier sold for ₹1,600–₹1,700, are now being sold for ₹4,800–₹5,000 in the black market. As a result, a few outlets have increased prices of their products. With uncertainty continuing over gas supply, tea shop owners are worried about sustaining their businesses.