LPG shortage: Even the premier academic institutions of the country have been impacted due to a shortage of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) attributed to the escalating tensions in West Asia. The hostel mess at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has revised its meal menu on a temporary basis in response to concerns over LPG availability. 

The supply strain has inflicted harm on several sectors dependent on LPG, including small eateries, restaurants, community kitchen and institutional dining facilities. 

Students at IIT-B informed about changes through email

The hostel mess council at IIT Bombay, in order to cope with the LPG shortage, implemented a revised meal plan starting Saturday. The students enrolled at the institute were informed about the changes through an email. Its screenshot soon began making rounds on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).

Meals under the temporary arrangement will now feature only a single vegetarian option, while additional non-vegetarian dishes have been suspended. Fried items, dishes requiring extended cooking times, boiled eggs and other boiled foods have also been removed from the menu to conserve LPG. 

Additionally, desserts served during dinner have been replaced with simpler alternatives like milkshakes or ice cream. Students will have access to milk either in regular or chilled form, while fruits will be served at both lunch and dinner.

Special parties too postponed until LPG supply resumes

A representative from the institute told the media that events held on the campus premises, such as tea parties, special lunches, gala meals and dinners have also been postponed until regular LPG supply resumes. Meanwhile, the officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas have urged the general public not to engage in panic buying of LPG cylinders. Authorities said that two LPG carriers have already crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are expected to reach Indian ports shortly.