Mumbai, 10 Mar (HS): ‘Ahar’, an organisation of hotel and restaurant owners in

Mumbai stated that about 20 per cent of hotels and restaurants have closed

operations due to shortage of LPG and LNG. If timely supplies are not restored

about 50 per cent of hotels and restaurants will have to be closed in a few

days. The owners will take decision based on the available stock and supplies.

Similar situation has been reported from

Chennai affecting the hotel industry. They have written to Prime Minister

Narendra Modi as the Centre has withheld supplies of commercial cylinders

across the country. Chennai Hotel Association President M Ravi informed the

media about the situation. Majority of hotels will have to be closed if

supplies are not restored within two days.

Hotel owners organisations are holding

discussions with their respective state governments and Union Petroleum

Minister.

Ahar representatives also met Maharashtra

Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal with their demand.

The shortage is not only affecting hotel

business, but also industries in various parts. Five big industries in

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar stopping production has been reported. Automobile,

Pharma and steel industries are the most affected.

Minister of State for Civil Supplies

Yogesh Kadam said that the government has not received any information on closure

of hotels. The Chief Minister is continuously monitoring the situation and

expressed hope that the situation will ease within a few days.

Yuva Sena Chief Aditya Thackeray has

demanded the Union Government to clarify the possible impact on Indian economy

due to the war. He has posted on social media that the hotel and other

industries will be severely affected oif gas supply is not restored soon.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar