By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
A rapid survey of 10 food business operators conducted by SDC Foundation has claimed that the ongoing commercial gas cylinder shortage is severely impacting their businesses in Dehradun.
The survey, carried out on March 25 and 26, 2026, covered food outlets across Rajpur Road in the city.
It provides a ground-level understanding on how disruptions in LPG supply are affecting daily operations. The findings reflect widespread challenges faced by small and medium food establishments.
The survey covered 10 food business operators; including cafes, restaurants, sweet shops, and a hotel. Most of these businesses operate on a small scale, with six outlets serving fewer than 100 customers daily before the crisis.
This makes them particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions and revenue shocks. The study highlights how such businesses are struggling to maintain operations under current conditions.
Commenting on the findings of the rapid survey, Anoop Nautiyal, founder of SDC Foundation, said that one of the key findings of the survey was that all the shopkeepers said they are facing gas cylinder shortage which is affecting their businesses.
In terms of financial impact, the survey reveals significant revenue losses across the sector, SDC said. Around half of the businesses reported a decline of 25 to 50 percent in their earnings. Some establishments reported losses of over 50 percent, while others experienced smaller but still notable declines.
“This rapid survey clearly shows that the gas cylinder crisis is not just a supply issue but a serious economic challenge for small food businesses. There is an urgent need for policy-level interventions to address the crisis.,” Nautiyal said.