LPG shortage fears grip Tirupati hospitality sector

Tirupati: Concerns are rising over a possible shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), particularly commercial cylinders, amid the ongoing war-like situation in parts of the Middle East. The hospitality sector, which relies heavily on uninterrupted gas supply, expressed serious apprehension—especially in Tirupati, where hotels and eateries cater to thousands of visiting devotees.Reports of disruptions in commercial LPG supply have surfaced in several major cities, sparking anxiety among hotel owners and restaurant operators. In Tirupati, the Tirupati Hotels and Restaurant Association (THARA) submitted a representation to the District Collector seeking immediate intervention. THARA urged the administration to reconsider the reported decision to suspend or reduce commercial gas supply to hotels, warning that such a move would place the hospitality sector in crisis.Industry estimates suggest Tirupati has more than 600 lodges with hotel facilities, over 1,000 homestays and service apartments, together accounting for nearly 34,000 rooms. Hundreds of standalone hotels and eateries also depend entirely on commercial LPG cylinders for daily cooking.Hotel operators cautioned that any interruption in supply could severely affect operations, jeopardize thousands of livelihoods, and disrupt food availability for residents and pilgrims. They warned of possible price hikes and public inconvenience.THARA acknowledged the challenges posed by the international crisis but stressed that suspension of supply would push small and medium businesses into financial distress. The association appealed to the government to restore regular supplies or arrange alternatives.Representatives noted that existing reserves may last only a week. Without restoration, the situation could worsen significantly. While some establishments are exploring firewood as an alternative, they admitted such options are impractical for large-scale operations.