LPG Crisis Hits IT Giants: Infosys, TCS and Wipro Scale Back Canteen Services; Here’s Why
A West Asia-led LPG shortage is crippling IT canteens in Pune and Bengaluru. Firms like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro have cut menus to "dal-rice" or asked staff to bring tiffins as commercial gas supplies are capped. The crisis hits migrant workers in PGs hardest, prompting calls for hybrid work until fuel supply chains stabilise.
Mumbai, March 17: A worsening shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, triggered by escalating tensions in West Asia, has begun disrupting daily operations at major IT campuses across India. Leading firms, including Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and Cognizant, have issued advisories to thousands of employees to bring meals from home as corporate cafeterias struggle to maintain full-scale kitchen operations. The supply crunch has effectively transformed the "prolonged catered lunch" culture of tech parks into a bare-bones service of basic meals and dry snacks.
The disruption is primarily linked to maritime shipping delays through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for India's fuel imports. In response, the Indian government introduced a 20 per cent cap on average monthly commercial LPG supplies on March 12 to prioritise household consumption, further tightening the belt on industrial food services. Indian-Flagged LPG Tanker ‘Nanda Devi’ Nears Kandla Port via Strait of Hormuz, Bringing Relief Amid Fuel Supply Concerns (Watch Video).
Major IT Firms Including Infosys Adjust to 'Fuel Rationing'
The impact has been most visible in the tech corridors of Pune and Bengaluru.
- Infosys: At its Pune and Bengaluru development centres, the company issued a "carry your own tiffin" advisory. Canteen vendors, facing reduced gas allocations, have withdrawn high-flame items like dosas and omelettes, shifting instead to cold salads and meals prepared in external central kitchens.
- TCS: Employees at the Commerce Zone (Pune) and ITPL Whitefield (Bengaluru) campuses reported that menus have shrunk to basic "dal-rice" and lemon rice. Management has encouraged staff to avoid organising on-campus events that require catering.
- HCLTech: Taking a more direct approach to operational strain, the firm provided employees at its Chennai campus the option to work from home on March 12 and 13 as cafeteria vendors were unable to function.
- Cognizant: As per TOI report, Cognizant shut live counters at its Pune campus offering South Indian dishes, pulao, and pav bhaji, leaving employees with "only the rice plate facility"..
- Wipro: At Wipro's Hinjewadi Pune site, the company stopped fast food and Chinese counters and has stuck to rice plates as vendors continue to battle the LPG crisis.
Cafeteria Operations Shift to Electric and Dry Menus
To keep services running without gas, corporate kitchens are pivoting toward alternative cooking methods. Live counters for pav bhaji, pulao, and Chinese dishes have been suspended at Cognizant and Wipro campuses in Pune.
Instead, vendors are increasingly relying on:
- Electrical Appliances: Induction stoves, grills, and sandwich makers are being brought out of storage to handle minimal cooking.
- Simplified Menus: Sandwiches, fruit chaat, and pre-cooked "rice plates" are becoming the standard offering.
- Collaboration: Some cafeteria operators are sharing resources and menus to ensure at least one variety of meal remains available across larger office complexes.
LPG Crisis's Strain on Migrant Workforce and PGs
The crisis is particularly acute for the estimated 2 to 3 lakh IT workers in Pune alone who originate from other states. Many of these employees reside in paying guest (PG) accommodations or hostels that lack personal cooking facilities. Pavanjit Mane, President of the Forum for IT Employees (FITE) Maharashtra, has urged companies to consider "work from hometown" arrangements until supply chains stabilise, noting that the dependency on office food is a critical welfare issue. Delhi: 2 Arrested in Separate Illegal LPG Refilling Rackets; Cylinders and Equipment Seized.
Broader Impact on Urban Food Services
Beyond IT parks, the LPG crunch is rippling through other sectors. Educational institutions like IIT Bombay have simplified hostel mess menus, and the Delhi High Court lawyers' canteen briefly removed main-course items last week. While the government maintains that the overall energy supply is stable, the move to cap commercial gas is expected to persist as long as West Asian logistics remain under stress.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 17, 2026 12:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).