TNNLucknow: A steep rise of Rs 993 in the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders has hit the city’s food-service sector, with restaurants, dhabas and street vendors warning of imminent price hikes.The cost of a commercial cylinder has climbed to about Rs 3,194.50, sharply increasing input expenses for small and mid-sized establishments.Owners say the increase has disrupted their cost balance, with fuel now accounting for a larger share of spending. Many expect menu prices to rise by 5%-20% in the next few days. Some are trying to manage losses by cutting portion sizes or staff hours, while others have already raised prices and say profit margins have dropped by nearly 20%.In the old city, prices of common items have already gone up. Kebabs now cost Rs 15-20 more, while parathas are selling for around Rs 20. In Chowk, a plate of chole-bhature now costs Rs 60, up from Rs 40 earlier this week.Faraz Ahmad, a manager at an eatery in the old city, said low supply and high prices leave little choice. “We have to increase prices. Supply is not steady and costs have gone up,” he said.Akash, who runs a vegetarian outlet in Charbagh, said quality may suffer if LPG prices remain high. “If we don’t increase menu prices, we will have to compromise on quality,” he said.Mohammad Anwar, another eatery owner, said sudden hikes can affect demand. “We cannot raise prices all at once. Customers may stop coming. Our margins are already low,” he said.Many vendors are now shifting to coal, wood stoves or induction cooktops. Pawandeep Singh, who runs a chole-bhature outlet, said he has moved to coal for now. “We have not seen such a problem before. Coal is harder to handle and needs constant use,” he said.
