A Century of Tea Ends
For over a hundred years, Chandravilas, a beloved establishment in Ahmedabad that first opened its doors in 1900 as a humble tea shop, has been a beacon
for tea lovers. It's not uncommon for this eatery to serve an astonishing 18,000 cups of tea in a single day. However, the current liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) crisis gripping the city has made this iconic beverage, along with several popular fried snacks like 'sev-usal', 'papdi', and 'fulwadi', a casualty of necessity. Malav Joshi, the proprietor, explained that the severe disruption in LPG cylinder supply has forced them to temporarily suspend these items. To continue operations, they are relying on alternative cooking methods, including traditional coal 'chulhas' (stoves) and electric coils, as a temporary measure to conserve their dwindling gas reserves and adapt to the challenging circumstances.
Street Food Hubs Adapt
The impact of the ongoing LPG crisis, now in its fourth week of affecting supplies from Iran, is starkly visible across popular food destinations like Gandhi Road and the bustling night market of Manekchowk. These areas, usually vibrant hubs of street food, are feeling the pinch of dwindling gas supplies. Yogesh Sharma, the owner of New Karnavati Dabeli Vadapav and Sandwich Pizza Center in Manekchowk, shared that his business is operating on its last few LPG cylinders. He is actively preparing for a complete transition to alternative cooking methods, such as coal chulhas, should the supply situation fail to improve soon. Sharma emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the end of this shortage, highlighting the immediate need for strategic adjustments to keep his business running amidst these supply disruptions.
Sandwich Vendors Suffer
The current LPG shortage is disproportionately impacting sandwich vendors, many of whom are entirely reliant on gas for crucial cooking processes like grilling and toasting. Arvind Modi, representing Khodiyar Sandwich and also serving as the convenor of the Manekchowk Food Association, pointed out that sandwich businesses are the most severely affected due to their operational dependence on LPG cylinders. He warned that if the scarcity continues, they will be forced to eliminate toasted sandwich options from their menus. Modi further elaborated that numerous vendors are in the process of reassessing their entire menus and operational strategies. The switch to coal-based cooking, while an alternative, is not universally suitable for all food items and carries the risk of altering the authentic taste and significantly increasing preparation times. Currently, vendors in Manekchowk are striving to maintain a delicate balance between offering their usual services and managing with the limited resources available.
