LPG shortage has also hit Chennai Metro Rail’s contractors who have been carrying out construction work across the city for the upcoming 118.9-km phase II project. Now, to manage the shortage, some of them have been using firewood for cooking purposes in the workers’ camp.

According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), in the three corridors which are getting built under the phase II project — Madhavaram to SIPCOT, Poonamallee to Light House and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur — contractors engaged on various stretches have been grappling with this issue for a few months now. Sources said the commercial LPG cylinders are usually needed to perform fabrication work as part of the construction of the elevated and underground stretches.

“As soon as the war broke out in West Asia and LPG shortage set in, our contractors carrying out construction on stretches like Kolathur to Villivakkam, Light House to Panagal Park, Madhavaram to Koyambedu had a significant shortage of LPG. For the purpose of cooking in the workers’ camp, some of the contractors procured firewood and have been using it since. This issue also exacerbated the labour shortage for two months but now most of them are back,” an official said.

In all three corridors, contractors need nearly 450-950 cylinders based on the quantum of work and the number of workers engaged on the stretch for the work. But there is a shortfall of about 200-400 cylinders for these contractors.

Sources said, sometimes they procure the cylinders at a much higher cost to execute the construction work and prevent steep delays. “Apart from firewood, we have also bought an electrical roti making machine, induction stoves for cooking purposes. We are able to manage for now. Since it seems like the war is coming to an end, we have a feeling that this issue will be resolved in a few weeks,” a source said.