The Kochi Corporation-run Samridhi@Kochi budget eatery in Kerala is considering a price hike following the ₹993 increase in 19-kg commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, effective May 1. The eatery, which operates in association with the district Kudumbashree Mission, is currently using a combination of cooking gas and firewood due to the disrupted supply of commercial cylinders.

The price hike is expected to impact the eatery's customers, who rely on it for affordable meals. Samridhi sources stated that a price rise is inevitable and they are exploring options to retain meals at ₹20 while increasing the price of other products.

The eatery's kitchen, which requires 35-40 cylinders a day, is currently receiving only 20-25, resulting in a daily expense increase of ₹25,000. The use of firewood as a stopgap arrangement has also raised logistical issues and increased cooking time.

The potential price hike at Samridhi@Kochi may also trigger a similar increase at Indira Canteen, which uses the same common kitchen. The Kudumbashree Mission has expressed concerns about the impact of firewood usage on its members working in the kitchen.

The Kochi Corporation and the Kudumbashree Mission are expected to review the situation and announce their decision on the price hike in the coming days. The eatery will likely return to using cooking gas once the supply is fully restored.