Power outages cast a chilling shadow on restaurant business

Srinagar, Dec 1: The acute power shortage in Kashmir has taken a heavy toll on the business sector in Srinagar, with restaurant owners facing the worst fallout from the ongoing crisis.

The electricity scarcity has not only left their machinery defunct but has also significantly impacted customer footfall, dealing a severe blow to the city's vibrant culinary landscape.

Issar Mir, a young restaurant owner from Hazratbal, lamented the dire situation, stating that routine operations at their outlets have become increasingly challenging due to the unavailability of electricity. To cope with the power cuts, many establishments have been forced to rely on generators, incurring additional costs that further burden already struggling businesses.

Mir, who operates 'Eatalian,' shared the operational challenges faced by his restaurant. "Over sixty percent of the work has been affected. The machinery that we use to cook and perform other tasks is defunct. Most of our dishes require ovens and other equipment that run on electricity. When we don't have electricity, we are rendered defunct," he said.

The restaurant owners said that unscheduled power cuts have rendered the heating system defunct at their outlets, which has affected the dine-out customer footfall.

“Amid bone-chilling cold who will stay at restaurants when there is no heating arrangement? Our ACs are defunct, and at times when customers see that no ACs in running, they prefer not to sit and eat,” said Yasir Ahmad, who runs Me&U Café in Bemina Srinagar.

Yasir said that most of their equipment, like ovens, electric grills, mixers, and coffee makers, has been rendered defunct.

Ahmad further highlighted the drastic reduction in orders, stating, "I used to entertain over 50 orders per day, now it is down to 10. Customers came to eat today, and due to the unavailability of electricity, they went back. If a customer pays a hundred rupees for coffee, I cannot give him a handmade coffee that he can have at home."

Sheikh Imran, General Secretary, Restaurant and Cafe Assertion of Kashmir, expressed the widespread impact on the industry. "The situation outside the city centre is more problematic. Our equipment is not working, and we cannot rely on generators for everything. While restaurant owners in the city centre of Lal-Chowk are getting some electricity, the situation at other places is worse," he stated.

Imran added that despite reaching out to officials in the past over various issues, including financial concerns, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The restaurant owners now find themselves discouraged and can only hope for a swift resolution to the power crisis that is threatening their livelihoods.