Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Mar 15: The ongoing LPG crisis triggered by the geopolitical situation in Iran continues to severely impact the hospitality sector in coastal Karnataka. Several more hotels have temporarily closed their doors, while wedding halls and industrial units face increasing pressure due to fuel shortages.

Hotels and industries feel the heat

Many hotels in the region have resorted to operating for only a few hours in the morning to retain their staff, while others have limited their menus to a few essential items. In the industrial sector, GAIL Gas officials have introduced rationing for CNG. Approximately 20 industries in the Mangaluru area are now eligible to receive only 80% of their average consumption from the last six months.

While domestic supply and CNG for vehicles remain largely unaffected, the commercial sector is struggling to cope with the restrictions.

Wedding halls shift to traditional cooking

In Kundapur and Byndoor, the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has hit wedding halls particularly hard. With stocks running dry, many hall managers are attempting to switch back to traditional firewood stoves. However, this transition has faced resistance from caterers. "Chefs are hesitant to cook on firewood stoves and insist on gas. With numerous weddings scheduled for March 25, we are deeply concerned about managing the events if the supply does not resume," stated a local hall manager.

Amidst the scarcity, the police department has warned the public about potential cyber scams. Fraudsters are reportedly creating fake gas booking websites and sending malicious links via SMS, mimicking official oil company portals to steal money from desperate consumers.

The authorities have issued the following advisory to the public:

• Use only official apps of gas companies or contact authorized distributors directly.

• Never click on unsolicited links received on mobile phones for gas bookings.

• Do not share OTPs, CVV numbers, UPI PINs, or bank details with anyone.

The district administration continues to monitor the situation, prioritizing essential services while the commercial sector awaits further guidelines from the government.