Hotels, restaurants, bakeries and canteens downed their shutters across Kerala in a 24-hour Statewide strike on Wednesday (May 6, 2026), leaving many, especially daily commuters, scrambling for meals.

The shutdown, led by the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA), was in protest against a steep hike in 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder prices. The increase of ₹993 has pushed costs beyond ₹3,000 per cylinder, with hotel owners claiming the surge has made daily operations unsustainable.

The token strike resulted in a near-complete closure of dine-in, takeaway and even online food delivery services in the State.

In Thiruvananthapuram, people from various walks of life were severely impacted by the strike. At places, including East Fort and Statue junction, which are usually packed with office-goers and street-side vendors, eateries remained closed throughout the day.

For many, the day began with confusion and hunger. “I hoped to have some breakfast. But, everywhere I went, the restaurants were closed. I did not even get a cup of tea,” says Lakshmi, a vegetable vendor from Vellayani.

Thampanoor, a key transit hub in the State capital, witnessed similar scenes, with travellers who arrived early in the morning finding themselves stranded without food. Satheesh, a city resident who works in Kollam, says he usually has breakfast before embarking on his train journey to his workplace. “Only after reaching here did I realise everything was shut. I was not aware of the strike. I might have to make do with biscuits from stalls at the railway station,” he laments.

Some respite

Nevertheless, a few roadside eateries that offered tea and light snacks, some restaurants near hospitals such the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital, and canteens attached to government offices provided respite to many.

As part of the protest, demonstrators took out a march from the Martyrs’ Column in Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram.

KHRA office-bearers pointed out that LPG prices have nearly doubled in six months, to cross ₹3,100 this month.

The price of a commercial LPG cylinder stood at ₹1,684 in December 2025, and increased steadily over subsequent months to reach ₹1,845 in February, ₹1,912 in March and ₹2,112 in April.

The rising costs, combined with increasing expenses for labour and raw materials, have brought the food sector to a standstill, according to the hotel owners.

Major trade bodies, including Kerala Vypari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samthi and All Kerala Caterers Association, supported the Statewide stir.