Varanasi's Kachori Gali 'Going Up In Smoke' Amidst Severe LPG Crisis

• Varanasi's famous food hubs, including Kachori Gali, are severely impacted by an ongoing LPG gas shortage affecting households and local markets.
• Nearly 60% of sweet shops and kachori outlets in key areas face disruptions, with some temporarily shut and others cutting production by half.
• Shopkeepers resort to expensive and health-hazardous wood and coal-fired stoves, increasing operational costs and causing smoke irritation.
• Narrow streets exacerbate smoke issues, affecting shopkeepers, customers, and passers-by, especially in crowded lanes like Kachori Gali.
• Temporary adjustments like off-site cooking are unsustainable, raising concerns for livelihoods and Varanasi's culinary culture.