LPG Shortage in India After Strait of Hormuz Closure

Middle East Crisis Sparks LPG Concerns, Government Urges Public Not to Panic

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 12, 2026

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key routes for oil and gas shipments, has started to affect energy supplies in India. The disruption in shipments has led to delays in the delivery of crude oil and LPG, creating a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders that are widely used by restaurants, hotels, and small businesses.

The shortage is being felt across several parts of the country and is directly impacting the hospitality sector, where commercial gas cylinders are essential for daily operations. From small tea stalls to large star hotels, many businesses are facing difficulty in securing cylinders due to the sudden rise in demand.

Reports indicate that the demand for commercial LPG cylinders has increased sharply. In Chennai, a single commercial cylinder was reportedly sold for as high as ₹5000 yesterday, reflecting the pressure on supply. The situation has also started to influence the prices of everyday items. For instance, a cup of tea that was earlier priced at ₹12 has now gone up to ₹15, while coffee prices have reached around ₹20 per cup in several places.

Fuel demand has also increased in the city. In Chennai, long queues were seen at many local petrol stations, with large numbers of vehicles waiting to refill fuel. Autos and other commercial vehicles were seen standing in long lines to refill petrol and CNG, reflecting the growing concern among the public. However, authorities have stated that petrol availability remains stable and have urged people not to panic, even as panic buying continues to be observed at some stations.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas also urged citizens not to panic buy LPG cylinders. The government has assured that India has sufficient LPG supply and that cylinders will be delivered within a few days of booking.

The situation has also affected other sectors linked to exports and transportation. Mango pulp exports from Krishnagiri, which plays an important role in the beverage industry, have been impacted due to the disruption in shipping and transport. Nearly ₹2000 crore worth of mango pulp shipments are currently reported to be stagnant because of delays in movement.

Amid these developments, there has been some reassurance regarding shipping routes. Iran has assured India that Indian-flagged ships will be allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz, helping maintain trade movement through the region.

Meanwhile, supply lines are gradually starting to stabilise. After the conflict began, the first shipment of crude oil from Saudi Arabia has already reached Mumbai Port, and more shipments are expected in the coming days. These arrivals are likely to ease the pressure on supply and help reduce the impact of the shortage in the near future.

Hepi TV by Palaniappa Electronics Enhances Hotel Guest Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 14, 2026

In an era where guest experience plays a decisive role in hotel ratings and repeat visits, Palaniappa Electronics has introduced Hepi TV, a next-generation in-room entertainment solution designed to address one of hospitality’s most overlooked challenges, television content accessibility.

Traditionally, hotels relying on DTH services activate only a single regional language pack. With guests arriving from diverse states and linguistic backgrounds, limited channel options often result in televisions remaining unused, diminishing the overall in-room experience. Hepi TV resolves this gap by delivering, for the first time in India, all SD channels permitted for broadcast through IP technology.

Operating seamlessly over existing Wi-Fi or LAN connectivity, Hepi TV eliminates the need for satellite dishes or DTH cabling. This allows hotels to offer multilingual channel access to guests from any region while incurring the cost of only one regional DTH pack. The Hepi TV box is provided free of charge, ensuring zero infrastructure investment for hotels.

Beyond live television, Hepi TV introduces personalised guest engagement. Upon check-in, the guest’s name appears on the TV screen and remains visible until checkout, creating a warm and premium welcome. The platform also supports popular OTT applications, with guest login credentials securely erased at checkout to ensure privacy and data protection.

Hotels can further utilise the system as an in-room communication tool by uploading up to six 4K videos highlighting hotel services, facilities, or promotions, transforming televisions into effective marketing touchpoints.

Available at ₹300 plus GST per TV per month, Hepi TV offers a cost-effective, scalable solution for hotels seeking to modernise in-room entertainment while enhancing guest satisfaction. For General Managers and Property Owners, it represents a practical blend of technology, personalisation, and operational efficiency.

Palaniappa Electronics continues to strengthen its reputation as a trusted partner for hospitality-focused electronic solutions, known for consistent quality, timely delivery, and a strong understanding of hotel operational needs.

For more details contact Palaniappa Electronics | Mr.Muthu @ 9003045685 or muthu@palaniappagroup.com.

Assotech Realty Partners with Atmosphere Core for Hospitality Project in Shirdi

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 14, 2026

Assotech Realty, based in Delhi, has announced a strategic partnership with Atmosphere Core to develop a new hospitality project in Shirdi, Maharashtra. Under the collaboration, Atmosphere Core will operate and manage Assotech’s upcoming all-suite property in the temple town.

Atmosphere Core is an international hospitality company known for its nine private island resorts in the Maldives and an expanding development pipeline across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. The group also has a heritage hotel project set to open in Italy.

Assotech Realty, promoted by Mr Neeraj Gulati, plans to invest around INR 200 crore to develop the project. The property will feature 160 suites, each measuring approximately 45 square metres, offering spacious accommodation designed for pilgrims, leisure travellers, and destination visitors arriving in Shirdi.

The agreement between Assotech Realty and Atmosphere Core highlights the growing transformation of temple towns into structured tourism destinations supported by modern infrastructure and professionally managed hospitality facilities.

Shirdi, one of India’s most visited pilgrimage centres, attracts nearly 25 million devotees every year. With improved road connectivity, airport access, and regional infrastructure development, the town is gradually evolving into a more organised tourism destination where spiritual travel is increasingly complemented by leisure and wellness experiences.

The upcoming project aims to align with this evolving landscape by offering travellers a comfortable stay experience that blends modern hospitality with the spiritual and cultural atmosphere of the region. The development is also expected to appeal to NRI and HNI travellers who often look for larger accommodations and international-standard hospitality while visiting pilgrimage destinations.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Neeraj Gulati, MD, Assotech Realty, stated, “Shirdi has always held immense spiritual significance. However, what we are witnessing today is the beginning of a broader urban evolution. Infrastructure development, improved connectivity and rising domestic tourism are collectively shaping the town into a well-rounded travel destination. Our collaboration with Atmosphere Core reflects our belief that spiritual destinations deserve thoughtfully designed hospitality experiences that respect their cultural essence while meeting modern traveller expectations. This project is not merely about adding rooms to the city’s inventory; it is about contributing to Shirdi’s next phase of growth as a holistic tourism hub that supports pilgrims, families and experiential travellers.”

Mr Gulati further added, “We are developing an all-suite property with comfortable accommodations to meet the demand of new-generation devotees. Particularly, millions of NRI and HNI, including devotees, prefer extended stays and properties with all-suite luxury accommodations. Through such projects, one of many that Assotech plans to develop throughout India across major pilgrimage destinations as well as business and leisure destinations.”

Mr Salil Panigrahi, Co-founder and Managing Director, Atmosphere Core, also shared his thoughts on the collaboration. He said, “India’s spiritual tourism sector is entering a new phase where destinations like Shirdi are witnessing more structured tourism demand alongside devotional travel. Travellers today expect comfort, curated experiences and globally benchmarked service even when visiting pilgrimage centres. Our collaboration with Assotech allows us to bring our hospitality expertise to a location that sees year-round demand and immense cultural significance. The project is envisioned as a welcoming retreat that blends warm hospitality with the serenity associated with Shirdi, while also contributing to the town’s growing reputation as a destination that offers both spiritual depth and contemporary travel experiences.”

With temple tourism gaining renewed attention across India, developments like this are expected to support local economies, generate employment, and improve the overall visitor experience.

The project will also contribute to Shirdi’s expanding urban landscape by introducing a modern hospitality destination that complements the town’s growing infrastructure and tourism ecosystem.

Wyndham Rewards Member Month Is Back and Week One Deals Are Already Looking Very Good

By Author

Published on March 13, 2026

If you're a Wyndham Rewards member, your Wednesdays just became a lot more interesting. The sixth annual Member Month is officially underway, and it's shaping up to be the biggest one yet with five weeks of deals, bonus points, and offers dropping every Wednesday throughout the campaign.

The program has built a strong reputation for making travel genuinely rewarding, and Member Month is where that generosity really shows. This year, members can stack multiple promotions on top of each other, which means the value adds up quickly for anyone paying attention.

Michael Shiwdin, GVP of Guest Engagement, Loyalty and Partnerships at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, summed it up well. "Six years strong, Member Month is back and it's all about rewarding the members who make Wyndham Rewards extraordinary. This year's celebration brings it all together with some of our best offers of the year, from dream getaways to unforgettable experiences. It's our way of saying thank you to the members who make it all possible."

Here's a look at what Week One brings to the table:

Members can earn up to four free nights by collecting 7,500 bonus points after every two qualifying stays, with the offer repeatable up to four times for a total of 30,000 points. That's enough for up to four free nights at thousands of Hotels by Wyndham worldwide, and the window to complete stays runs through June 30, 2026.

Wyndham Rewards Insiders and credit or debit cardholders each get an additional 7,500 bonus points after two or more qualifying nights by the same deadline. Members who qualify as both an Insider and a cardholder can stack the two offers for up to 15,000 extra bonus points.

For business travellers, enrolling in Wyndham Rewards Business between March 4 and April 30 and completing a qualifying stay by June 30 earns 15,000 bonus points. Travellers on those enrolled accounts also earn 2X points on their personal accounts during business stays.

There's also a limited-time flash sale on Wyndham Rewards Experiences, with exclusive tickets to live concerts and events available from just 1,000 points. Week one features access to the Tortuga Music Festival, with new experiences dropping weekly. Some auctions run for only 24 hours, while others are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

New members looking to jump in can also apply for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card and earn up to 75,000 bonus points through qualifying spend within the first few months.

New deals continue to drop every Wednesday at midnight EST throughout Member Month, keeping the momentum going well into April. Most offers are open to members worldwide, including those who sign up during the promotion.

For full details and terms, visit WyndhamRewards.com/MemberMonth

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Middle East Crisis Sparks LPG Concerns, Government Urges Public Not to Panic

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Hepi TV by Palaniappa Electronics Enhances Hotel Guest Experience

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Assotech Realty Partners with Atmosphere Core for Hospitality Project in Shirdi

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Wyndham Rewards Member Month Is Back and Week One Deals Are Already Looking Very Good

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