Bachelors and students preparing for competitive examinations are the immediate victims of the cooking gas shortage, triggered by the closure of many hostels and small and medium hotels in the town. With commercial LPG refills unavailable, several hostels and eateries have shut operations over the past week.

More than 12,000 bachelors employed in banks, government offices and shopping malls are facing severe hardship due to the lack of food. Over 3,000 students preparing for competitive examinations have also been affected as hostels and hotels struggle with the gas shortage.

Several students in Vizianagaram have been forced to return to their native places. “The government recently issued a notification to fill nearly 10,000 jobs. We came to Vizianagaram for preparation as many coaching centres are available here. However, the lack of food forced us to return to our native place, Saluru in Parvatipuram Manyam district. Now, we have to attend online classes from our native place,” said K. Muralidhar, a student. Some bachelors and students have rented houses and are using electric stoves and other appliances to cook food.

Oil marketing companies have significantly reduced the supply of commercial LPG refills, though domestic LPG supply continues without major disruption. A 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder, normally priced at ₹1,900, is now being sold for ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 in the black market. While large restaurants continue operations despite the surge in prices, small hotels and hostels unable to bear the additional cost have temporarily shut down, said a member of the Andhra Pradesh State Hotels Association.

The association has urged the government to improve LPG supply to hotels, which provide livelihoods to many, both directly and indirectly. “The Union government announced a 20% increase in commercial gas supply to hotels, but it is not being implemented on the ground,” the representatives said.

Meanwhile, District Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy and Joint Collector Sedhu Madhavan have directed the Civil Supplies Department to take strict action against black marketing of LPG refills. Officials recently seized 55 domestic cylinders being used illegally in hotels. The department said it would intensify inspections in hostels and take action against the misuse of domestic cylinders in commercial establishments.