Cooking gas shortages triggered by the Middle East conflict are rippling through India's food sector, forcing businesses to explore alternative options.

In Kolkata, restaurateur Chhanda Chakraborty has switched from liquefied petroleum gas stoves to induction cooktops and coal-fired tandoors.

"I learned that a few hostels and canteens have dropped tea and dosa (Indian pancake), and are serving rice-lentils, sandwiches and cold drinks", she said, describing how eateries are dropping items that require long simmering amid the LPG crunch.

Chakraborty, who normally uses at least 200 LPG cylinders a month, said it remains unclear how the switch to alternative fuels will affect her business. "We have not assessed if the switch will cause a rise in our operational costs," she said.

The hospitality and catering sector has been directly hit as the Middle East crisis has intensified LPG shortage. Restaurants and hotels nationwide have reported difficulties in securing fresh commercial cylinders, while lawmakers last week raised concerns over shortages in several regions.

"Indian hospitality industry depends heavily on LPG, while industries like power plants, fertilizer plants and city gas networks also use it," said Swaran Singh, a professor of international relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.

The country consumes about 31.3 million metric tons of LPG annually, with roughly 87 percent used in the domestic sector and the rest by commercial establishments, including hotels and restaurants.

As much as 62 percent of the total demand is met through imports, 85 to 90 percent of which come from the Persian Gulf region, routed via the Strait of Hormuz.

Continuing tensions "have resulted in delays, disruptions and price hikes" in LPG imports, Singh said.

Economist Abhirup Sarkar said the supply disruptions are clearly affecting restaurants nationwide. "Notably, it is the roadside food joints which serve millions of people" that are among the hardest hit, he said.

Shutdowns feared

Hotel and restaurant associations in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai have warned of acute shortages of commercial LPG cylinders, saying they may face shutdowns if supplies are not restored forthwith, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Restaurant kitchens in the capital territory and other major cities have suspended some operations and are shifting to alternative fuels to stay open, Xinhua reported. The estimated rate of suspension reached up to 20 percent of outlets in Mumbai and Kolkata, local media reported.

Singh said India has initiated a multilayered response, prioritizing household consumption and negotiating with Iran to allow safe passage for Indian-flagged shipments. Last week, the government also ordered oil refineries and petrochemical units to maximize LPG output and divert key hydrocarbon streams to the LPG pool.

However, a resolution of the issue hinges on an end to the conflict.

Sarkar said that although Iran is allowing Indian shipments through the strait on a case-by-case basis, no quick solution is in sight.

"If this crisis doesn't end soon enough, a new normal will emerge — that's chilling because the economic implications will be huge as well as widespread," he said.

Arunava Das is a freelance journalist for China Daily.

Contact the writers at vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com