Dharamsala : With the tourist season picking up in Dharamsala and its surrounding areas, the hospitality sector is facing an unexpected challenge as a sudden shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has begun affecting hotel operations.
Several hoteliers in McLeodganj have reported booking cancellations as the fuel shortage disrupts kitchen services. Ashwani Bamba, president of the Dharamsala Hotel and Restaurant Association, said the remaining LPG stock with hotels may last only “a day or two,” while local distributors have informed them that commercial cylinders are currently unavailable.
To manage the crisis, many hotels have started shifting to alternative cooking methods such as induction cooktops, traditional tandoors, and oil furnaces. The association has also issued an advisory asking hotels to temporarily avoid high-energy-consuming dishes, particularly elaborate Indian curries. Instead, establishments are being encouraged to focus on Chinese and continental dishes or use ready-made gravies that require less cooking gas.
Sanjeev Gandhi, a member of the State Eco-Tourism Society and a hotelier on the advisory board, said rumours of LPG scarcity have triggered panic among tourists. According to him, the uncertainty has already prompted some travellers to reconsider their plans to visit Kangra district.
While local LPG dealers continue to report empty stocks, district authorities maintain that supplies are adequate. However, this assurance has done little to calm the concerns of hotel owners and tourism stakeholders.
Industry representatives fear that if the shortage continues, it could negatively impact Dharamsala’s tourism-driven economy during a crucial travel season.
