The Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) and National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) appeared to have made a breakthrough in addressing the crisis in the restaurant industry due to a shortage of LPG cylinders.
In a meeting at Yashada on Friday, MNGL has said that more than 200 connections can be fast-tracked for restaurants, with long-lasting benefits for the industry. “Key MNGL offerings include quicker processing of applications and feasibility analysis, slashing traditional timelines, massive discounts for deposits and setup costs and handholding in permissions and other processes, ” said NRAI Pune Chapter head Saili Jahagirdar.
Many restaurants, reeling under a financial crisis, have lauded the waiver of for installing a new meter. Kishor Sarpotdar from Poona Guest House, who is also president of the Pune Restaurant and Catering Association, has said that MNGL was trying to get piped gas networks even in areas where they are not present. “On their part, MNGL is trying very hard,” said Sarpotdar.
At the meeting, Kumar Shankar, managing director of MNGL, gave details on how MNGL would intervene to mitigate the crisis, fast-tracking commercial piped gas connections for all restaurants to ensure seamless operations.
Maj Shankar Karajgai, director (commercial), spoke about the technical hurdles and promises that MNGL would extend a helping hand. He highlighted long-term PNG solutions designed for business resilience. Bageshree Manthalkar, independent director of MNGL, emphasised MNGL’s commitment to sustainable support during these turbulent times.
Jahagirdar added that the collaboration with MNGL comes against the backdrop of a severe crisis in the restaurant and catering industry. “There are no LPG supplies to restaurants, which has forced the industry to the brink. MNGL stepped forward as a beacon of hope, unveiling tailored commercial piped natural gas (PNG) solutions to keep Pune’s vibrant restaurant scene alive,” she said.
More than 150 people from the restaurant sector, including NRAI members, restaurant owners, and hotel operators, turned up to speak directly about their problems with the authority. “Their presence reflected the desperate urgency for reliable energy alternatives, as businesses grappled with shutdown threats,” said Jahagirdar.
Sarpotdar said the next step will be to approach the Collector and the Commissioner of the Pune Municipal Corporation. “To get piped gas, we will need a formal permission from the corporation as it involves digging work and might cause slight disruptions. We will try our best to convince the Commissioner to give us immediate permission for MNGL connections. We will ask the Collector to issue us a No Objection Certificate for the work,” said Sarpotdar. The other request will be to consider commercial cylinders like an essential commodity and to allow restaurants to use domestic cylinders during emergencies. “A lot of hostel students and homes depend on our food, so we need LPG urgently,” said Sarpotdar.
Labour staff in the restaurant, hotel and catering industries number more than one lakh, and we should provide them with breakfast and two meals each day.