Mangaluru: Hotels facing difficulties due to the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders amid the Iran conflict have received partial relief as supply has begun in the city.

Following directions from the Central government allowing up to 50 per cent supply of commercial LPG cylinders to hotels, distribution has now started in Mangaluru. Public sector oil companies have stepped up supply, and cylinders have begun reaching some hotels in the city.

However, strict guidelines have been imposed for supplying cylinders to hotels. Dealers are required to submit records of commercial LPG cylinders purchased by hotels over the past three months to the companies. They must also provide details of current demand. Based on this data, companies have started supplying a portion of the required cylinders.

A dealer said that some supply has been available since Monday. As per the Central government’s directive, up to 50 per cent of the cylinders supplied in the past two months can be provided now. Though the full 50 per cent supply is yet to be achieved, the availability of some cylinders has brought relief, he added.

Two days ago, a ship carrying about 17,000 metric tonnes of LPG arrived at the Mangaluru port. More ships are expected to arrive in the next two days, which may help streamline the supply of up to 50 per cent commercial LPG.

In Udupi district, only about 20 per cent of commercial LPG supply is currently being provided.