Commercial LPG Price Surge in Lucknow to Burn a Hole in Your Pocket

Lucknow- A steep rise in commercial LPG cylinder prices is set to make eating out more expensive in Lucknow, with hotels, caterers, and street food vendors preparing to pass on the burden to customers.

The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has seen a massive jump of nearly 50%, increasing from around ₹2,200 to over ₹3,100. The hike, which came into effect on May 1, has significantly raised operational costs for businesses dependent on cooking gas.

Industry representatives say absorbing the cost is no longer viable. Members of catering associations indicate that while they have tried to manage earlier price increases through cost-cutting and alternative cooking methods, the latest surge leaves them with little option but to revise menu prices.

Restaurant operators and hotel kitchens, which consume large volumes of LPG daily, are among the worst affected. Many establishments have partially shifted to electric or coal-based cooking, but these alternatives are limited in efficiency and scale.

Street food vendors, already operating on thin margins, are facing even greater challenges. Several have started increasing prices of everyday items such as tea, snacks, and local dishes, while others are switching back to traditional cooking methods due to rising fuel costs.

Adding to the problem is the reported shortage of LPG supply. Business owners claim they are receiving limited cylinder allocations, forcing them to procure additional stock from unofficial channels at inflated rates, further escalating expenses.

The impact is expected to extend to the wedding and catering industry as well. With large-scale events requiring multiple cooking setups, reducing gas consumption is not practical, making price hikes inevitable for upcoming bookings.

Experts note that limited access to alternatives like piped natural gas (PNG) in several parts of the city further restricts options for businesses.

With costs rising across the board, consumers in Lucknow may soon feel the pinch as food prices increase in restaurants, street stalls, and event catering services.