Patna: A shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has triggered a crisis for hostels, hotels and mess facilities in Bihar’s capital Patna, with operators warning that thousands of hostels may be forced to shut if supplies are not restored soon.
Hostel owners say they are struggling to arrange gas to cook meals for students, while some hotels have started rationing fuel and avoiding new bookings for events and parties.
“We are facing serious trouble. For now, I am using the cylinders kept in stock, but I do not know what will happen next,” said Pallavi, owner of a girls’ hostel in Patna. “We have to provide food to the girls three times a day. That cannot be stopped or reduced. I have spoken to several suppliers, but no one can confirm when the next cylinder will be available.”
Her concerns reflect a wider problem across the city. Hostel and hotel operators claim that the ongoing gas shortage has left thousands of establishments in difficulty. Industry representatives estimate that nearly 3,000 hostels could face closure if the supply situation does not improve. As many as 2.5 lakh students staying in hostels may be forced to return home if food services stop.
Hostels struggling, cylinders being bought in black market
Several hostels in areas such as Gandhi Nagar and Boring Road report severe difficulty in obtaining LPG cylinders.
At Imperial Boys Hostel in Gandhi Nagar, mess in-charge Bali Kumar said bookings for gas cylinders are not being accepted and the available cylinders are being sold at inflated prices.
“We are facing huge problems because gas is not available. Commercial cylinders are being sold for up to Rs 2,300 in the black market, while domestic cylinders are being sold for about Rs 1,500,” he said. “Around 50 students live here and we have to feed them. Somehow we are arranging cylinders, otherwise it will be impossible to run the mess.”
In some hostels and hotels, staff have reportedly started placing nearly empty cylinders in hot water in an attempt to extract the remaining gas to continue cooking.
Considering induction stoves as an alternative
Aryan Kumar Dev, mess in-charge at Cozy Inn Boys Hostel on Boring Road, said the shortage may be linked to disruptions in international gas supply routes.
“There is a shortage, but we cannot blame the government entirely. Gas supplies coming through sea routes near Iran have been affected. The government is trying to manage the situation. There may be difficulties for a few days,” he said, adding that induction stoves could be used if the crisis continues.
Food arrangements for students becoming difficult
At Bloom Girls Hostel, in-charge Rishabh Kumar said the situation has become extremely challenging.
“Gas cylinders are not available. It is becoming difficult to continue operations, but I cannot shut the hostel. If necessary, we will arrange food from outside or cook using coal. We cannot let the girls go hungry,” he said.
Pawan Singh, manager of Maa Sadhya Girls Hostel, said their monthly requirement is around 20 to 22 cylinders.
“I placed an order yesterday but received only four cylinders. We were told to come again next time. Earlier a cylinder cost Rs 1,100; now it is around Rs 1,500. If cylinders are not supplied regularly, we may have to close the hostel,” he said.
Some hostel owners are also preparing alternative arrangements. Ramakant Kumar, owner of Savitri Girls Hostel, said he is planning to cook using firewood if the gas shortage persists.
“I have an extra cylinder for now, but the agency is not accepting bookings. If gas is not available in the coming days, we will cook on a wood-fired stove. Around 85 girls stay in the hostel, so we must ensure food is available,” he said.
Hotels cutting new bookings and saving fuel
Hotels in Patna are also feeling the impact of the LPG shortage.
At Hotel Panash, kitchen staff said they have been instructed to minimise gas usage and conserve the remaining stock. Boilers have been shut down and cooking is being shifted to electric and coal-based stoves wherever possible.
“We are using gas only for emergency cooking. New bookings for weddings and parties are not being accepted. We are completing only the earlier orders,” said Amit, the hotel’s kitchen in-charge. “The shortage began about three days ago and gas agencies are not responding to calls. We have gas left for about two days.”
Hotel Maurya is reportedly facing an even more critical situation. Staff said the hotel has only one day’s gas backup left due to disruption in commercial LPG supply. If deliveries are not restored soon, the hotel may struggle to continue kitchen operations.
Several other prominent hotels in Patna, including Taj and Chanakya, are also experiencing similar difficulties and are in constant touch with gas agencies for updates.
Global supply disruption cited as a reason
Industry sources attribute the shortage partly to disruptions in global oil and gas supply routes amid tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
A significant portion of oil and gas shipments from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Any disruption in this crucial maritime route can affect global supply chains.
Officials say recent tensions and attacks on cargo vessels in the region have affected international energy shipments, which may have indirectly impacted supply in India.
Administration denies shortage
However, the district administration has dismissed claims of a widespread shortage.
Patna District Magistrate Dr. Thiyagarajan S.M. said there is no shortage of LPG in the district and sufficient stock is available with distributors and gas companies.
“LPG booking and delivery through missed calls, SMS/IVRS, WhatsApp and OTP-based systems are functioning normally,” he said. “There is a mandatory gap of 25 days between two LPG bookings, and people should avoid panic booking.”
The district administration has directed all sub-divisional officers to conduct regular inspections of LPG dealers and distributors. Strict action has been ordered against hoarding and black marketing, including filing criminal cases against violators.
