Tamil Nadu: Due to a shortage of commercial gas cylinders, tea shops, restaurants, and snack-making establishments in Dharmapuri have now begun utilizing wood-fired stoves, electric stoves, and kerosene stoves.
The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has disrupted the global supply of crude oil. Consequently, many countries worldwide are facing shortages of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas cylinders; however, in our country, it is reported that the scarcity of cooking gas cylinders—particularly those intended for commercial use—has become even more acute. Corroborating this situation, several restaurants, tea shops, and snack outlets in the Dharmapuri district have been forced to shut down. Traders have expressed their strong displeasure regarding the shortage of cooking gas cylinders, the sudden surge in billing rates, and the growing irregularities within the supply system.
As a result of the price hikes for cooking gas cylinders in the Dharmapuri district, the cost of not only tea but also snacks has risen. Tea shops that previously remained open from morning until night now operate only during specific hours, remaining closed for the rest of the day. Notably, some tea shops open exclusively during the morning hours, while others operate only during the morning and evening slots. Driven by the shortage of cooking gas and its escalating costs, tea shops, restaurants, and snack outlets have begun adopting wood-fired stoves, kerosene stoves, and electric stoves as alternatives to cooking gas.
