The impact of this sudden surge is being felt most acutely by hotel, restaurant, and roadside eatery operators, for whom gas is an essential component of daily operations. In February, the cylinder price stood at 1,832.50 rupees, which was increased to 1,860.50 rupees from March 1. Prices continued to climb, reaching 1,975 rupees later in March, followed by a rise to 2,170.50 rupees at the beginning of April. The latest hike in May represents the sharpest escalation so far.
Industry representatives have warned that the increased operational costs could soon translate into higher food prices. Narinder Soni, president of a restaurant and eatery association, stated that such a substantial rise in gas prices is likely to force operators to revise menu rates, placing an additional burden on consumers.
Small business owners have expressed growing concern over the compounded impact of inflation and rising operational expenses. Traders argue that their businesses were already under pressure due to increasing costs, and the latest surge in gas prices has further aggravated the situation. They caution that if input costs continue to rise, passing the burden onto customers may become unavoidable, despite the risk of declining footfall.
Small traders and eatery operators have urged the government to reconsider the sharp increase in gas prices, emphasizing that such abrupt hikes make it increasingly difficult to sustain operations. The continued escalation in fuel costs threatens not only business viability but also broader consumer affordability, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of the latest price revision.
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