Nainital gas Crisis
Uttarakhand new commercial LPG SOP allocates just 2,650 cylinders daily statewide, sparking outrage from hoteliers who call it inadequate for booming tourism season.
Nainital Hotel Association protests government’s LPG SOP amid tourism surge—gas shortage threatens livelihoods.
Uttarakhand’s tourism industry faces a crippling commercial LPG shortage as the state government rolls out a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to supply only 2,650 cylinders daily across the region. Hotel and dhaba owners in Nainital and beyond slammed the measure as “a drop in the ocean” or Hindi idiom ‘oont ke munh mein jeera’—utterly insufficient for their needs. With Char Dham Yatra approaching, businesses warn of shutdowns that could derail the vital tourism economy.
SOP Breakdown
The SOP, issued by Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Secretary Anand Swarup, directs oil companies like IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL on allocations: 1,000 cylinders for restaurants/dhabas, 750 for hotels/resorts, 190 for pharmaceuticals, 150 each for government/private guesthouses and industrial canteens/hostels, 130 for dairies/food processing, and 130 for homestays/self-help groups. While claiming 20% reservation for tourism, stakeholders argue it falls woefully short of peak-season demand. District-wise quotas exacerbate uneven distribution.
Nainital Hotel Association members report that tourist influx multiplies gas consumption several times over. Last week’s government advice prioritizing domestic supply halted commercial deliveries, pushing eateries to the brink. Even with the SOP, supply lags far behind the roughly 15,000 hotels and restaurants statewide.
Industry Reactions
A Nainital Hotel Association spokesperson fumed: “With 15,000 hotels and restaurants across Uttarakhand, how far will 2,650 cylinders go? This SOP is like feeding a camel a single sesame seed—absurd!” DGP Deepam Seth earlier expressed concern over the crisis, while SSP Ajay Ganapati assured investigations. Business owners demand priority arrangements and alternative fuels like PNG or biogas to stay afloat.
Crisis Background
Uttarakhand’s tourism, a GDP powerhouse, draws millions for Char Dham Yatra starting in April and year-round hill station visits. A nationwide commercial LPG crunch, prioritizing household needs per central directives, hit hardest in Nainital and Mussoorie. Dhabas and hotels guzzle dozens of cylinders daily during peaks. Similar shortages plagued last year, but this SOP dashed hopes for relief. Small operators face closure, risking job losses in a tourism-dependent state.
The standoff highlights coordination gaps between center and state, with winter tourist spikes worsening the pinch. Hotels report slashed operations, cold kitchens, and frustrated guests, threatening Uttarakhand’s reputation as a hospitality hub.
Path Forward
Government must ramp up allocations, assess district-wise needs, and build emergency stocks before Char Dham chaos. Hoteliers threaten protests if unresolved. Calls grow for extra central quotas and incentives for alternatives like solar or electric cooking. Swift action could salvage the season; delays spell economic disaster.
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