Leading IT companies including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, and Cognizant have asked employees to bring home-cooked meals to office as a shortage of commercial LPG disrupts canteen operations across campuses.
The supply crunch has significantly affected food services in major IT hubs such as Pune and Bengaluru, where company cafeterias are struggling to function due to limited fuel availability. Several canteens have either reduced their menus or shut down live cooking counters altogether.
Employees in multiple offices reported that popular items like pav bhaji and other freshly prepared dishes have been discontinued, with cafeterias now serving only basic meals such as rice and dal. In some cases, companies have advised staff to carry tiffins until normal services resume.
At TCS campuses, internal advisories have encouraged employees to make alternate meal arrangements. Similarly, Wipro has scaled down its cafeteria offerings, while Cognizant has suspended several food counters due to the ongoing crisis.
The shortage is linked to constraints in commercial LPG supply, which has been tightened in recent weeks amid efforts to prioritise domestic consumption. The disruption has not only impacted corporate offices but also eateries, hostels, and catering services across urban centres.
The situation has posed challenges for employees, particularly those staying in paying guest accommodations or hostels who rely heavily on office canteens for daily meals. Industry observers say that if the crisis continues, companies may explore temporary measures such as expanding work-from-home options or partnering with external food vendors.
Companies are also assessing alternatives, including electric cooking solutions, but a full restoration of cafeteria services will depend on the stabilisation of LPG supply in the coming weeks.
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