Bhubaneswar, 11 March (H.S.): The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a temporary relaxation permitting the use of charcoal chullahs (traditional stoves) in the city due to an ongoing shortage of cooking gas caused by the Middle East conflict.

BMC Mayor Sulochana Das stated that the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, now in its 12th day, has disrupted LPG supplies, severely affecting small businesses such as restaurants, tea shops, and tiffin services.

“Earlier this year, on January 5, 2026, we had banned hostels and dhabas from using chullahs to reduce air pollution and had imposed fines on violators. However, given the current LPG shortage, we will allow their temporary use to support small business owners,” Mayor Das said.

She clarified that the temporary relaxation will be valid only for the duration of the crisis, after which the previous restrictions on chullahs will be reinstated.

A critical meeting is scheduled today to discuss the issue further and consider requests from affected business owners. The move underscores how international conflicts can have direct consequences on local operations, especially impacting eateries and small-scale food service providers in Bhubaneswar.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda