Chennai has seen a sharp rise in the prices of several food items as a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders disrupts operations at tea shops, roadside eateries and hotels. After recent hikes in tea, coffee, vadai and bajji, prices of staples such as idli, dosa, poori, pongal, omelette, parotta, meals and biryani have also increased.
According to the report, supply disruptions linked to conflict in West Asia have affected the flow of crude oil and cooking gas from Gulf countries to India and other nations. The resulting shortage has reportedly fuelled a black market, where a commercial cylinder is said to be sold for as much as Rs 5,000.
With cylinders hard to obtain, some eateries have reduced the number of dishes they serve, while others face the risk of shutting down. In several areas, shops are operating only for limited hours—some only in the morning and others only at noon—while certain breakfast items like pongal and poori have been stopped, and lunch menus trimmed to mixed rice instead of full meals.
Price increases have been steep in smaller outlets. Idli that was sold for Rs 10 has gone up to Rs 15 in some places, while “kal dosa” has risen from Rs 15–20 to Rs 30. Mixed rice varieties have increased from around Rs 40 to Rs 60–70. Consumers have also complained that omelette prices were raised despite a drop in egg prices.
Members of the public have urged the government to intervene and curb arbitrary price hikes. Traders said food prices have been rising since March 13, and warned that if the shortage continues, prices could climb further, with items like grilled chicken and shawarma sales already reduced by about 70% in some outlets.
