DEHRADUN: A debilitating LPG shortage triggered by the Gulf crisis has pushed Dehradun’s food and beverage sector to the brink, with new data revealing a sharp decline in revenue and forced operational cutbacks across the state capital.
A rapid survey conducted by the Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation between March 25 and 26 assessed 10 establishments along Rajpur Road, including cafes, restaurants, sweet shops, and hotels. “The findings are alarming because 100 percent of the surveyed businesses reported being directly impacted by the gas cylinder shortage,” said Anoop Nautiyal, founder of the SDC Foundation. “LPG is the primary fuel for these outlets, and when supply chains snap, these businesses have almost no cushion to fall back on,” he added.
Surveyed outlets reported that the scarcity has persisted for anywhere from one week to over a month. Approximately 50 percent of the respondents reported a 25 to 50 percent decline in earnings, with some facing revenue losses exceeding 50 percent. Eight out of 10 outlets have slashed their menus to conserve fuel, while others have curtailed operating hours.
Seven out of 10 respondents indicated they have not raised prices, opting to absorb the losses. “This approach of absorbing losses is simply not sustainable in the long run,” Nautiyal added.
Speaking to TNIE, Nautiyal said, “The government should have taken the initiative to conduct a similar survey, then we would have felt that the government is equally sensitive towards the residents.”
The crisis has accelerated interest in energy diversification, with 60 percent of respondents expressing a preference for a hybrid cooking system combining LPG with electric appliances. However, the high cost of upgrading infrastructure remains a barrier.