Mumbai weddings feel the heat as LPG shortage hits caterers

With several weddings scheduled across Mumbai this weekend caterers decorators and wedding planners say they are managing events daytoday as the ongoing shortage of commercial LPG cylinders begins to affect the cityrsquos wedding industryWhile restaurants and canteens have already been hit by the crisis wedding caterers say they currently have just enough fuel to manage events scheduled over the next couple of days Many families have been asked to trim menus and reduce live cooking counters that require continuous gas usageAt the moment the industry is trying to adapt rather than cancel bookings but uncertainty remains over LPG supplies beyond the weekendPankaj Kotecha right and nephew Raj Kotecha display their induction cooking setup at Sethia Banquets in Kandivli West as caterers adapt to the LPG crisis PicSatej ShindeVoices from the industryChandrabhan JoshiThe Celebrity Banquet Hall KandivlilsquoWe still have some gas stock left and are managing with smallbatch cooking on induction stoves But it may not last longrsquoPankaj KotechaSethiya Banquet Hall Raghuleela MalllsquoI cannot get LPG cylinders even though I have multiple orders I had to invest in an industrial induction fleet despite uncertainty about returns At many venues I will have to run them using diesel generators due to low power capacity He added that existing bookings will not see price hikes but future orders may include dynamic pricingrsquoStores in Dadar are witnessing an unprecedented demand for electric cooktops and appliances Shop owners report items selling out rapidly with prices rising with each new stock PICASHISH RAJESameer ParekhParekh Outdoor Caterers GhatkoparlsquoI do not want my customers stranded on their wedding day so I have started cancelling bookings for the next one or two weeks There is no response from liquified petroleum gas dealersrsquoCost of switching to inductionEstimated capital investment for caterers400 guests capacity Rs 11 lakh900 guests capacity Rs 20 lakhCommercial induction cooktops alone cost Rs 40000 per unit according to caterersCaterer Pankaj Kotecha at Sethia Banquets in Kandivli West He is using newly purchased induction cooking equipment as caterers turn toalternatives amid the LPG shortage PicSatej ShindeSwitching isnrsquot easyHurdles for caterersgtgt Lack of commercial PNG connections at venuesgtgt Insufficient electrical load for induction fleetsgtgt Restrictions on wood or smokeproducing fuelsgtgt High capital investmentSome caterers say renting a PNGequipped commercial kitchen could double costs due to transport rent and gasWedding season snapshotCurrent weddings Limited due to Ramzan and LentExam season Fewer celebrationsNext major wedding rush MidApril to MayImmediate cancellations Minimal so farMenus being trimmedldquoOutdoor weddings usually have live counters serving Chinese South Indian or Italian food which require a lot of gasrdquo said Amit Sharma owner of Golden Leaf Banquets in MaladldquoWe have asked our clients to trim that section of their wedding menu so we can avoid cancelling orders altogetherrdquoSharma said caterers have enough supplies for the weekend but the future remains uncertainldquoWe have invested in industrial induction cooktops and utensils so that at least some live counters can continuerdquoNew bookings on holdBanquet halls say they are receiving inquiries but are reluctant to confirm bookings until LPG supplies stabiliseMayur Patil Vidyadhar Hall DadarldquoA few people whose caterers cancelled came to us but we could not promise anything because there is no guarantee about LPG supplyrdquo Patil added that many halls are avoiding immediate bookings until the situation becomes clearerCaterers trying workaroundsSome caterers say the impact has not yet peaked but they are already adjusting operationsTanaz Godiwalla from A Parsi Affair ldquoWe havenrsquot seen weddings cancelled yet But we are reducing gasheavy elements like live counters If the shortage continues catering costs may increaserdquoAnother caterer said the impact is limited due to Lent which is an offseason for Christian weddings but warned that the situation could change after first week of AprilNot just weddingsThe LPG shortage is also affecting religious ceremonies and smaller gatheringsBorivli resident Avinash Pujari who had planned a pooja at home this weekend saidldquoThe caterer told us they will only take orders from clients who provide their own LPG cylinder Everything is arranged but now things are uncertainrdquoPossible impact on wedding costsIndustry estimate Catering prices could rise by up to 50 per cent if LPG shortages continue and caterers shift to alternative cooking methodsLPG price shockRegular commercial LPG cylinder Rs 1750Reported current market rate Rs 4000 Rs 5000