Mysore/Mysuru, March 29 -- With the supply of commercial LPG cylinders coming to a complete halt, hoteliers across the city have been forced to fall back on traditional firewood stoves and hearths once considered outdated but now witnessing unprecedented demand.

The disruption began in the aftermath of the Middle East conflict, which has severely affected India's LPG imports.

Initially, hotels managed with their existing stock, stretching supplies for a few days. Later, many resorted to buying cylinders at inflated prices from the black market. But even those sources have now dried up, leaving hoteliers with little choice but to switch to firewood stoves.

Stove-maker Banu Prakash, who has been manufacturing and selling firewood stoves ...