KAKINADA: Due to the short supply of LPG refills, many mini hotels and restaurants have been closed in Kakinada in recent days.
The scarcity stems from supply disruptions caused by the Israel-USA and Iran war in Gulf region for three weeks. As a result, hundreds of hotel owners and thousands of workers left without work and income.
They are struggling to make a living with no viable alternatives. This situation is gradually driving up unemployment due to depleted resources.
One of the hotels, named “Dadi Mess” which is in front of the Kakinada District collectorate, closed recently.
The mess owner Satyanarayana, his family members, and staff completely left the hotel business. As a result, the five workers have not found any work outside in the hotel sector.
Following raids by Civil Supplies Department staff, hotel owners could not risk legal issues. Therefore, more than 200 mini hotels shut down in Kakinada city and its outskirts. On average, 1,000 people lost their employment due to shut down of hotels and restaurants and other eateries. Many small hotels have decreased curry varieties in the daily menu.
With fuel price hikes, prices of all essential commodities have already risen sharply. The impact is being felt by hotel consumers.
Due to a lack of hotel availability, many students and private employees are facing trouble finding lunch and dinner. As a result, government-run Anna canteens are witnessing heavy rush.
The District Civil Supplies Department and Revenue Department are monitoring gas supplies. Kakinada District Civil Supplies Officer (DSO) Rudraraju Satyanarayana Raju stated that around 85 cases were booked and 210 commercial cylinders were seized.
The raids were conducted on the direction of higher officials from the State and the district. Due to the lack of LPG supply, commercial supplies completely restricted, he added.