A crippling shortage of LPG cylinders is fast draining the flavour out of one of Kumarakom’s signature experiences: a houseboat cruise across the vast Vembanad lake paired with a rich spread of backwater cuisine.
With cooking gas running dry, many houseboat operators have been forced to strip down their offerings to rides alone, while others have simply stopped taking bookings. Some, desperate to stay in the game, are turning to the black market, shelling out as much as ₹4,000 for a single cylinder.
Alarmed by the mounting crisis, houseboat operators’ associations have moved authorities seeking a higher LPG quota. “The current allocation is nowhere near enough. Not being able to serve food risks leaving a poor impression on visitors,” said Soji J. Alumparambil, a houseboat owner in Kumarakom. “Operators are scrambling hard to secure cylinders, even if it means sourcing small quantities through unofficial channels.”
The ripple effect is being felt across Kumarakom’s backwater belt, with restaurants serving traditional fare to tourists also feeling the heat.
The timing could not be worse. The Vishu season and the summer vacation rush, a make-or-break period for the local tourism economy, are now under way. Though tourist numbers have held steady, extreme summer conditions and a dip in foreign arrivals linked to the West Asia conflict have added to the strain. Outdoor experiences like boating, cycling, and village walks, central to Kumarakom’s appeal, are also under pressure.
