Gas shortage forces two popular hotels to shut in Alipurduar, restaurants fear wider closures

A growing shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has begun affecting the hospitality sector in Alipurduar, forcing two well-known eateries in the town to shut operations indefinitely. The popular Janpriyo Hotel and Kukkus Dhaba, both located on Thana Road, have closed due to the sharp rise in commercial gas prices and supply delays, creating anxiety among other hotel and restaurant owners in the city. Business owners say the price of a commercial LPG cylinder has surged from around ₹1,800 to nearly ₹3,500, while deliveries are being delayed for several days after bookings. With cooking operations already reduced earlier due to supply issues, the worsening situation has now pushed some establishments to stop functioning completely.

Debabrata Chatterjee, owner of Janpriyo Hotel, said the establishment cannot operate under the current conditions. He explained that commercial establishments cannot legally use domestic gas cylinders and face strict action if they do so. With commercial cylinders becoming expensive and difficult to obtain, continuing operations has become financially unviable, forcing the hotel to shut for an indefinite period.

Abhijit Das, owner of Kukkus Dhaba, also cited rising costs and uncertainty over supply as reasons behind the closure. The shutdown has raised concerns among local residents and business owners, especially during the tourist season. Many fear that if the gas shortage continues, more hotels and restaurants in the town may be forced to close, affecting livelihoods and the local economy.