Bengaluru’s bajji-bonda shops in hot water as LPG shortage and black market boils over | Bengaluru News

Hotels shut in commerical hub Gand- hinagar Monday. Shop owners, along with Karnataka Rajya Karmikara Parishad, brew tea on firewood and serve buns in protest at Rajarajeshwari Nagar, demanding the release of LPG.

BENGALURU: Hit by a prolonged shortage of commercial LPG cylinders and soaring black-market prices, hundreds of bakeries and condiment shops are now struggling to stay afloat.While larger hotels have managed to navigate the LPG crunch using limited stock or alternative fuels such as firewood, it is the humble bajji, bonda, and samosa stalls that are bearing the brunt. “These stalls run on thin margins. Without gas, we simply cannot function,” said a shop owner in Rajarajeshwari Nagar.Small condiment shops—serving staples like samosas, gobi manchurian, tea, and coffee—depend entirely on commercial LPG cylinders. Typically, one cylinder lasts around 15 days. But with no fresh supply for over 20 days, many vendors have already shut their shops.Adding to their woes are reports of commercial cylinders being diverted and sold illegally at exorbitant rates, ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000—far beyond what small vendors can afford. “If there is a shortage, how are cylinders available at Rs 8,000 in the black market?” asked one frustrated vendor. “We cannot pay such prices and still run a business.”The frustration spilled onto the streets Monday when scores of shop owners, along with the Karnataka Rajya Kaarmikara Parishathu, staged a protest in Rajarajeshwarinagar demanding cylinder availability. In a symbolic act, they served tea brewed on firewood and distributed buns to highlight their plight—showcasing how they are being forced to turn to outdated and inefficient methods just to stay afloat. “We managed to get some allocation for hotels after protests earlier, but now small eateries are being ignored,” said Ravi Shetty Byndoor, state president of the association. “If this continues, many of these shops will disappear.” Many vendors say they are being penalised for using domestic LPG cylinders, often their only option to keep business running, while illegal sale of commercial cylinders continues unchecked. “We are being raided and fined, while those selling commercial cylinders illegally are thriving,” said another shop owner before adding: “We are just trying to survive.” 30L domestic cylinders suppiled in 10 days Even as the LPG crisis continues to rattle businesses, official data from the food and civil supplies department revealed a contrasting picture of ‘robust distribution’ of LPG cylinders across Karnataka over the past 10 days. According to the department officials, a staggering 30,51,045 domestic LPG cylinders have been supplied during this period.Besides, as many as 67,641 commercial cylinders have been distributed, while Auto LPG supply stood at 40,083 cylinders (761.7 metric tonnes), indicating a steady flow of LPG and auto gas for domestic, commercial and transport needs despite the crisis.