Wada-pav and ras omelette gaddas at the Old bus stand, Margao.
MARGAO
Even as large hotels and restaurants grapple with the ongoing LPG shortage, the crisis is now threatening to bring the bustling common man’s fast-food businesses—especially wada-pav and ras omelette stalls—to a standstill.
At Margao’s busy old bus stand, known for its cluster of roadside “gaddas” serving quick and affordable snacks, anxiety is mounting among vendors who rely heavily on LPG cylinders to keep their stoves running. Many of these small traders say they are left with barely one cylinder in reserve, forcing them to operate under uncertainty while hoping that fresh supplies arrive soon.
On Wednesday, the tension was visible across the food hub as traders spoke of dwindling fuel reserves and the possibility of shutting down their businesses if the situation does not improve. At least three gaddas were found shut at the old bus stand, with one vendor reportedly forced to close operations after running out of LPG.
An elderly vendor, who has been running a small snack stall for several years, said his remaining LPG cylinder may last only a day or two. Beyond that, he said, he has no idea how he will continue operating if fresh supplies are not restored.
“If the cylinder finishes and we don’t get a replacement, we will have no choice but to shut down,” the trader said, adding that switching to alternative fuel is not a viable option.
He recalled that kerosene stoves were widely used by food vendors decades ago, but they were gradually abandoned when the supply of kerosene became erratic during the Iran–Iraq war era, which had disrupted global fuel supplies.
“After that period, we shifted entirely to LPG. Now we cannot go back to kerosene stoves even if we want to. Kerosene is also not freely available in the market,” he explained.
The situation has not only worried the vendors but has also left regular customers disappointed. For many daily commuters and workers passing through the bus stand, these food stalls are a convenient and inexpensive source of meals.
One customer, enjoying a plate of ras omelette at a stall, said the ongoing shortage might deprive him of his favourite snack in the coming days.
“Maybe today is the last day I am having ras omelette for some time,” he said with a smile tinged with concern. “If the situation does not improve, we may not get these snacks here for a few days.”
With LPG supplies yet to normalize, small traders at the old bus stand are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping the situation improves before their remaining cylinders run dry. If not, one of Margao’s most popular fast-food hubs could temporarily fall silent, leaving both vendors and customers in a difficult spot.
