The ongoing LPG crisis has not just hit the hotels and restaurants, but also the Bengaluru istriwalas (ironers). The ironers have been severely hit by the gas crunch across the country. Dozens of roadside pressers stressed that they are struggling to keep their irons hot as the crisis worsens, according to a TOI report.
This crisis has even forced some of the pressers to turn away customers and delay deliveries.
What Bengaluru Pressers Are Complaining About?
One of the pressers, Muthulakshmi P, said that she has now started reducing the number of new orders for ironing, adding that she has fuel left for hardly a week.
“At this stage, I have barely enough fuel for a week. Luckily for us, we took a new cylinder not long back. I work with my son; hence, we require two cylinders at a time. Now that he has gone to our hometown in Tamil Nadu, the consumption is less,” she told TOI.
‘Irons May Soon Go Cold’
Several pressers said that their irons may soon go cold if cylinders do not arrive. Another presser, who has been ironing clothes in the area for nearly 30 years, said that the crisis has forced them to think of alternatives.
“I know it is expensive, but I’m willing to pay the bills if they can provide us with electric connections. That is the only way to survive now,” he said.
The presser added that he has even sought help from MLA NA Haris to facilitate power connections for roadside ironing stalls.
A couple, who have been in this job for the past two decades, said that the LPG will last hardly for two more days, adding that if this continues, the only solution is to shut the cart and return to Andhra.
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Bengaluru Hit With LPG Crisis
The LPG supply disruption in Bengaluru has affected the livelihood of gig employees who earn money from the total number of food order deliveries they make each day.
Due to concerns over fuel supply, several restaurants in the tech hub have either curbed their menus or temporarily suspended taking orders, said media reports. The LPG crisis began after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s most critical oil and gas shipping routes – closed.
