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Pune LPG crisis: MNGL offers fast-track piped gas connections to restaurants as eateries pull down shutters

At JM Road, another famous outlet, Modern Cafe, pulled down its shutters on Tuesday after it became clear that the LPG stock would not last.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Mar 12, 2026 06:19 PM IST

Badshahi, a 1960 restaurant in Pune NRH on Tilak Road, is closed for 2 days on Thursday due to LPG crisis (Express photo/Arul Horizon).

As conflict in West Asia intensifies, a high-level team from the Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) met with the representatives of the Pune chapter of the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) and listed out steps to be taken to ease the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) crisis for Pune restaurants and similar establishments.

“A meeting took place with the MNGL director for piped gas connections. In this crisis, MNGL is stepping up for the fraternity by identifying 150 restaurants near existing connections for easy extensions,” said Saili Jahagirdar, NRAI Pune Chapter Head.

Jahagirdar added that MNGL has offered to expedite connections for eligible NRAI members. “Apart from fast-tracking the connection process, MNGL will handle fire NOC, liaison, and permissions. They will make special requests to authorities for exceptions in the situation of a national crisis,” said Jahagirdar.

The deal comes as restaurants are struggling to keep the fires burning. Jahagirdar’s own establishment, Zillionth Bistro in Baner, closed down its shutters on Tuesday. “It is an emotional time for us, ” she said.

At JM Road, another famous outlet — Modern Cafe — pulled down its shutters on Tuesday after it became clear that the LPG stock would not last through dinner.

Behind the closed gate, Modern Cafe appears to be ready to welcome better times. The tables are clean and the chairs in place. “All through the day, customers are turning up and returning disappointed,” said a worker. There are around 20 workers living in the restaurant. They have come from many parts of India, from the south, the north and the east.

“This situation is even more serious than the Covid lockdown, when we were considered as essential services. We could at least keep our home delivery and takeaways on. With this situation, we are completely locked out, ” says Aditya Shetty of ARA Hospitality.

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All five of his restaurant outlets are facing an acute LPG shortage. “Vendors report no stock of LPG cylinders, forcing us to switch to electric induction cooking. This reflects the challenging situation in the restaurant industry. We are managing operations with alternative arrangements, prioritising customer service despite these hurdles,” he said. Shetty is among those who have invested heavily in electric induction.

“I have picked up over 20 commercial inductions. Since all my vendors have put their hands up and are not providing any cylinders, I had no choice but to keep the restaurants running by making alternative arrangements,” he said.

His urgent appeal to authorities is to address the LPG cylinder shortage affecting restaurants and industries. “Despite timely payments, vendors report unavailability. We request the government’s intervention to ensure smooth supply and support businesses,” he said.

At Appa, famous for khichadi, owner Sangram Deshmukh says, “We don’t have enough gas cylinders. Our stock will hardly last for another day. After that, who knows what we will do? We are removing a few items from the menu that require a large amount of gas like thalipeeth and sabudana wada. For frying, we are using an electric fryer.”

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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