Mumbai: The shortage of commercial gas cylinders in Mumbai has also affected clubs, religious kitchens, educational institutions, canteens, hostels, automobile sector, jewellery manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies among other sectors.Mithai manufacturer Vicky Jaisinghani of A1 Sweets, which is based in Ulhasnagar said the shortage of dry fruit from West Asia followed by the LPG cylinder crisis was taking a dual toll of business.Among establishments, the Mumbai Press Club said due to the shortage of gas it was issuing a restricted menu of non-LPG items like sandwiches, dry snacks and tandoori fare “until the situation improves”.Religious institutions which feed devotees are also impacted by the crisis. Gurdwaras affiliated to Sri Guru Singh Sabha, which provide free langar meals on a daily basis, are struggling to arrange cylinders or adopt coal based methods. Sardar Balwinder Singh of Pantnagar Gurdwara, Ghatkopar, said they also house 68 patients suffering from cancer. “We feed their relatives too. How will we function, our gas is nearly over.” Dadar Gurdwara’s Sardar Kulwant Singh said they have over 260 patients living there. “We are making a representation to the state govt to consider us a special case,” he said.Iskcon Juhu serves daily prasad to visitors and cooks meals for 150 sevedars in the temple, said spokesperson Parijata Devi. The Mumbadevi temple similarly serves khichdi to devotees after aarti. The temple requires six 14 kg domestic cylinders and four 19 kg commercial cylinders every month, said manager Hemant Jadhav.The Haji Ali Dargah is currently providing Iftar meals to 2,000 rozedars including fritters, pulao, chicken, said manager Mohammed Taher, who was anxious about gas supply.Even working hostels and canteens in the city are affected. The YWCA women’s hostel in Fort uses domestic cylinders to cater to 68 residents, said a staffer. The 25-day gap for each refill will weigh heavily. A few religious establishments like the Ghatkopar gurdwara had applied for piped gas connections years ago but there is no supply.
