The Indian Hotel & Restaurant Association (AHAR), which represents thousands of eateries and hospitality establishments across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, has issued an urgent appeal to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, warning that the city’s hospitality industry is facing a severe energy crisis.

In a letter addressed to the Union government, AHAR President Vijay K. Shetty expressed serious concern about the possible reduction or suspension of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) supply to hotels and restaurants. The association said the industry could manage a limited reduction in gas supply, but a complete halt would create an unprecedented crisis for the sector.

According to the association, restaurants and hotels could tolerate a cut of up to 25 percent in PNG supply, but anything beyond that would severely affect operations. AHAR warned that a total stoppage of gas supply would make it practically impossible for restaurants to continue functioning, as most urban commercial kitchens now rely heavily on PNG instead of traditional fuels.

Over the past decade, many hotels and restaurants in Mumbai have shifted to piped gas due to safety, efficiency and environmental benefits. However, this transition has also made the sector highly dependent on uninterrupted gas supply. Any disruption could instantly paralyse kitchen operations across the city.

The association highlighted that the hospitality industry supports millions of workers, including cooks, waiters, cleaners and delivery staff. If restaurants are forced to shut down due to lack of fuel, it could directly threaten the livelihoods of these employees who depend on daily business activity for their income.

AHAR has therefore requested the government to ensure a minimum guaranteed supply of PNG so that restaurants can continue operating even during supply disruptions. The organisation stressed that maintaining this baseline supply is essential not only for business continuity but also for protecting employment in one of Mumbai’s largest service industries.

The situation has already begun affecting the sector. AHAR reported that around 20 percent of hotels and restaurants in Mumbai have temporarily shut down due to disruptions in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders.

Industry leaders have warned that the crisis could escalate rapidly. If gas supply does not improve soon, the association believes that nearly half of Mumbai’s restaurants could shut down within the next two days, depending on how long their existing gas stocks last.

Restaurant owners say the coming days will be crucial for the survival of the city’s hospitality sector, and they are urging the government to intervene immediately to stabilise gas supply and prevent a widespread shutdown of eateries across Mumbai.