Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru 

Mangaluru, Mar 25: In a major relief to the hospitality sector, the distribution of commercial LPG cylinders has resumed in the city. The supply had been severely hit following the conflict in Iran, leaving hoteliers struggling to sustain operations.

Following a directive from the union government to supply at least 50% of the required commercial cylinders to hotels, public sector oil companies have intensified their distribution efforts. Several hotels in the city have already started receiving the much-awaited stock.

Strict guidelines for supply

The distribution, however, comes with a set of stringent regulations. Dealers are required to submit documentation to the oil companies detailing the number of commercial cylinders a hotel has procured over the past three months. Based on this historical data and the current demand, the companies have initiated partial supply. A local dealer confirmed that supplies have started trickling in since Monday.

The government directive specifies that hotels can currently be supplied with 50% of the average volume they consumed over the last two months. While the full 50% quota has not yet reached all establishments, hoteliers expressed relief that the complete halt in supply has finally ended.

Shipment arrivals at New Mangaluru Port

The supply chain is expected to stabilize further as shipments have begun arriving at the New Mangaluru Port. Two days ago, a vessel carrying 17,000 metric tonnes of LPG docked at the port, and more ships are expected to arrive within the next 48 hours. This influx of raw material is likely to smoothen the distribution of the 50% commercial gas quota.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring Udupi district, the situation remains slightly more critical, with only 20% of the commercial cylinder requirement being met at present.