Bengaluru: Employees and students residing in Paying Guest (PG) accommodations in the state capital are now facing a new crisis. Struggling to cook due to disruptions in gas cylinder supply, PG owners have resorted to new strategies to manage the situation.

Here are the ‘Three Plans’ formulated by owners to conserve gas:

1. A Break for Self-Cooking?

Many residents in PGs prefer cooking their own meals (Self-Cooking). However, owners argue that individual cooking leads to excessive gas wastage. Consequently, they are considering a temporary ban on personal cooking until the current crisis is resolved.

2. Goodbye to ‘Variety’ Menus!

The diverse weekly menus featuring various delicacies are set to face cuts. Preparing a variety of dishes requires higher gas consumption; therefore, owners have decided to serve only simple, standard meals for the time being.

3. Two Meals Instead of Three!

The most alarming decision is the plan to reduce meal frequency. To save gas and make existing stocks last longer, PG owners are moving toward providing only two meals a day instead of the usual three. "What is the way forward if the gas runs out completely?"—this anxiety is driving them toward such harsh measures.

Electric Stoves Deemed Unfeasible!

When asked why electric stoves cannot be used as an alternative, owners responded negatively. "It is practically impossible to cook for a large number of PG residents using electric stoves, and it will also significantly impact electricity bills," they claim.

Currently surviving on existing gas stocks, PG owners are waiting for the government to resolve the supply issue quickly. If the gas supply does not normalize soon, PG residents may have no choice but to rely on expensive hotel food.