Karnataka: LPG Crisis Deepens in Belagavi hotels; hospitality industry in jeopardy, what hoteliers are doing and why is it not just a temporary arrangement?
Belagavi: The impact of the gas crisis—triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East—has begun to manifest in the hotels of Belagavi (about 500 KM from Bengaluru), Karnataka. Consequently, local hoteliers are being compelled to pivot toward biomass fuel as an alternative to LPG.
This district, situated on the border with Maharashtra, is facing a severe shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, placing the hospitality industry in jeopardy. According to statistics, the more than 350 hotels in the area require approximately 1,600 cylinders daily; however, the actual supply has dwindled to a mere 600 cylinders. This significant disparity has made it increasingly difficult for hotels to sustain their kitchen operations.
Eateries have scaled back their operations
The fallout from this fuel scarcity is such that numerous hotels and eateries have either scaled back their operations or been forced to shut down temporarily. Industry representatives state that this shortage has directly resulted in a decline in both revenue and operational activity. Furthermore, the situation has underscored the vulnerability of fuel systems that rely heavily on imports.
In response, hotel owners are increasingly turning to biomass stoves as a pragmatic alternative. A technology that was previously confined to a select few establishments is now being rapidly adopted across the sector.
Number of hotels utilizing biomass systems has surged
In a remarkably short span of time, the number of hotels utilizing biomass systems has surged from 30 to over 180. Powered by agricultural stubble, coconut husks, and firewood, these stoves are gaining popularity due to their low operational costs and local availability. Some establishments have even resorted to using traditional wood-fired stoves to ensure business continuity.
This technology is not entirely new
It is worth noting that this technology is not entirely new. Biomass gasifiers and stoves—developed through research conducted by institutions such as TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)—have been utilized in industrial and commercial sectors for many years. Local firms in Belagavi, such as 'Phoenix Product,' have been supplying these systems for decades. Business owners state that biomass systems are proving to be both useful and cost-effective—not only for cooking but also for applications such as steam generation and heating.
Not just a temporary arrangement
This emerging shift in Belagavi is not merely a temporary arrangement; rather, it reflects a broader strategic mindset among small and medium-sized businesses regarding energy resilience. As global tensions increasingly impact local supply chains, the city's hotels are now being driven to reduce their reliance on traditional fuels and embrace locally available alternatives.