Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has written to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant seeking urgent intervention to ensure uninterrupted supply of commercial LPG cylinders to the hospitality sector in the state.
In a letter dated March 11, TTAG said the hospitality and restaurant industry in India is facing a growing shortage of commercial LPG due to disruptions in global energy supply chains following escalating tensions in West Asia.
The association pointed out that India imports around 62 per cent of the LPG it consumes, with a majority of shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route that is currently under strain because of the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
TTAG warned that the shortage could severely impact Goa’s tourism-dependent economy as most restaurants, beach shacks and catering establishments rely heavily on LPG for their operations.
The association said that the government’s move to temporarily limit cooking gas cylinders to priority sectors such as education and hospitals could lead to the closure of several food and beverage establishments and hotels in the state.
“A 25-day stockpile may not be sufficient, and though the Iran crisis may appear distant, it has the potential to affect Goa’s economy,” the association stated.
TTAG has urged the state government to ensure continuous availability of commercial LPG for hospitality establishments across Goa and initiate dialogue with the Centre, suppliers and the distribution network to address the issue.
The association also requested the government to prepare a contingency plan to tackle any potential shortage and to hold a stakeholders’ meeting to formulate a coordinated response.
Further, TTAG called for strict district-wise monitoring to prevent diversion of LPG cylinders to the black market and to closely track the supply situation.
A copy of the letter has also been sent to Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and Chairman of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Michael Lobo.
