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Sikkim LPG Crisis: Tourists Face Food Shortages Amid Peak Season Queues

Sikkim is grappling with a severe shortage of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders, causing major disruptions during the peak tourist month of April. Hotels and restaurants are being forced to reduce food preparation or shut down entirely, impacting both locals and visitors. People are queuing from as early as 3 AM, with many returning home without securing a cylinder. In response, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has chaired a review meeting and directed authorities to curb hoarding and ensure supply.

Key Points: Sikkim LPG Cylinder Shortage Hits Tourism, Sparks Crisis

  • Severe LPG shortage hits domestic & commercial users
  • Hotels reducing food prep, some restaurants shut
  • Tourists face limited food services in peak season
  • People queue from 3 AM, often return empty-handed
  • CM directs crackdown on hoarding and black marketing
2 min read

LPG cylinder shortage hits Sikkim during peak tourist season

Severe LPG shortage in Sikkim forces hotels to close, tourists face limited food. CM Prem Singh Tamang reviews supply, cracks down on hoarding.

"At present, he is receiving only one commercial cylinder per week. - Rajesh Gupta, hotel owner"

Gangtok, April 2

As the situation in West Asia continues to escalate, Sikkim is currently facing a serious shortage of both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders, causing major inconvenience to the public as well as business establishments. In many places, people have reportedly been standing in long queues from as early as 3 AM, but many are still returning home without getting a cylinder.The shortage has become a major concern, especially for hotels and restaurants during the peak tourist season in April. Rajesh Gupta, a hotel owner from Gangtok, said that his hotel normally requires two commercial LPG cylinders per day, which comes to around 14 cylinders in a week. However, he said that at present, he is receiving only one commercial cylinder per week.Due to the severe shortage, he stated that his hotel has been forced to reduce food preparation and may only be able to provide dry or limited food items to customers. He also claimed that several restaurants in Gangtok have already shut down because of the LPG crisis.The shortage is not only affecting locals and businesses but is also creating difficulties for tourists visiting the state. As April is one of the busiest tourist months in Sikkim, many hotels and eateries are reportedly unable to provide proper food services to visitors.According to local sources, the LPG crisis is affecting not only Gangtok but also other parts of Sikkim, with both domestic and commercial users facing serious supply problems.

Meanwhile, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang chaired a high-level review meeting at Samman Bhawan on Monday to assess the stock position and distribution of essential commodities across Sikkim, with a focus on ensuring their seamless and uninterrupted availability throughout the state.

Emphasising the need for heightened vigilance, the Chief Minister issued firm directions to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and strictly curb hoarding, black marketing, and overpricing. District administrations and law enforcement agencies have been tasked with maintaining constant oversight.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Standing in line from 3 AM? This reminds me of the old days. It's 2024, we should have better supply chain management. The CM's meeting is good, but action on the ground is what matters. Hope they catch the black marketers soon.
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Aman W
The global situation is tough, but states like Sikkim which depend so much on tourism should have had a contingency plan. This hits the common man and small businesses the hardest. My cousin runs a dhaba there and is really struggling.
S
Sarah B
I'm planning a trip to Sikkim next week. Should I cancel? It sounds awful for locals and tourists alike. No proper food at hotels is a serious concern. Authorities need to communicate a clear plan to restore supply.
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Vikram M
Respectfully, while the CM's directives are welcome, this feels like a reactive measure. Where was the proactive planning? Essential commodities in a geographically sensitive state should never reach this level of crisis. Hope the review meeting leads to swift solutions.
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Nisha Z
It's not just about tourism. Think of the local families who can't cook their daily meals. LPG is a basic need. The government must prioritize domestic supply and provide immediate relief. Jai Hind.

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