India, May 2 -- A sharp spike in LPG prices is pushing up operating costs across India's food industry, with the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder jumping by about Rs.993 to Rs.3,071.50, effective May 1. The 5-kg commercial cylinder has also become costlier by Rs.261. Varun Khera, Head of the Noida chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India, calls it a near 50% hike and a sudden jolt for the industry: "In places like Noida, where approvals for gas pipelines are slow and inconsistent, it is difficult for businesses like us to quickly shift away from cylinders." Echoing the concern, Joy Singh, founder of Cafe Loco, points to regulatory hurdles in Delhi. "Gas metres must be installed on the ground floor. If your restaurant is upstairs, you need a landlord willing to give up valuable space for the metre and piping. This isn't an issue in UP or Haryana, and it effectively locks urban restaurants into relying on expensive cylinders," he explains, adding that while businesses will try to absorb the costs initially, menu price hikes may follow....