More than half of restaurants in Mumbai could shut shop this week due to gas supply issues, with suppliers linking the shortage to the conflict in the Middle East.
The Indian Hotel & Restaurant Association (AHAR), the primary hotel association in Mumbai, said that around 20% of hotels in the city have shut down so far due to gas supply issues, as per a report by India Today.
If supply issues continue, up to 50% of hotels in India’s financial capital could shut down over the next two days, the association warned.
The number of operational hotels will depend on how much gas supply each establishment has, AHAR said.
It, however, added that no official decision had been taken by the association to shut hotels, and the decision to remain operational or shut shop will depend on individual hotel owners.
Earlier on Monday, AHAR had penned a letter to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, bringing to its attention a “significant operational challenges for many establishments within the hospitality sector”.
“Despite being a basic operational requirement for restaurants and hotels, commercial cylinders are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain through proper channels,” said AHAR in its open letter.
The association also called on authorities to look into the matter urgently — “Your timely intervention will greatly support thousands of restaurants and hospitality establishments that rely on uninterrupted gas supply for their daily operations,” AHAR said.
(This is a developing story. Check back for updates)
