The Union government’s move to increase the price of commercial LPG cylinder on Friday has sent shock waves through roadside eateries, tea shops, caterers, bakeries, and cloud kitchens in Mumbai, with several of them planning to raise the price of food items or cut short the menu.
Baban Yadav, who runs a vada pav outlet in a Mumbai suburb, said he will raise the price of the iconic Maharashtrian street food by ₹3 because the cost of pav (bread roll) has shot up. He stopped frying samosas too. He has only vada pav and pakodas on his menu. Mr. Yadav said that the turnaround time for his business has reduced. Some of his customers said the spiked price will affect the poor and migrant workers, since vada pav is a common man’s food.
Sanjay Garud operates a tea stall in the same area. He said he bought an induction stove last month. The LPG shortage has abated, but the price increase has affected his business. Mr. Garud, who has been in the business for 25 years, said the cost of a small cup of tea could go up to ₹15 or ₹20.
When forced to chose between quality and quantity, there is no dilemma, he said. Mr. Garud said his customers come to him for the quality of milk and tea.
‘Running at loss’
