Bhubaneswar: Govt-run Aahaar centres across the city are witnessing an unusual surge in footfall as the ongoing LPG crisis continues.For many, especially students and young migrant workers, the subsidised meals of rice and dalma, priced at just Rs 5 — on which mostly daily wagers, homeless individuals and elderly citizens are dependent — have become the most dependable option for a hot lunch or dinner.
Over the past week, queues have visibly lengthened outside several the Aahaar outlets, with volunteers struggling to manage the rush during peak hours, and regular beneficiaries worrying that the new crowd may affect their access. “We depend on this meal every day. If the rush keeps growing, I fear food may run out before our turn,” said Jagyasena Pradhan, a sanitation worker near Rasulgarh.Officials said the spike is far higher than the usual seasonal variations seen during exam time or festival weeks.“We see many new faces every day. Most of them say they can’t access LPG anywhere, not even at inflated black-market prices, so they are depending on us for at least one cooked meal,” said Dilip Sahoo, a worker at the Aahaar centre near Press Chhak.For students staying in rented rooms or PGs, the crisis is hitting harder. Earlier, many of them managed with small cylinders bought at steep rates, but the supply has dried up amid the global disruption triggered by the West Asia conflict.“I used to buy black-market refills for Rs 180 to Rs 200, but now there is nothing available. Aahaar meals are the only practical option,” said Amit Dash, a BTech student from Ghatikia.Young private-sector employees, who rely on quick, low-cost cooking arrangements, are facing similar difficulties. “Even small eateries near our offices have shut down or cut their menu. Hence, we come here,” said Priya Jena, a corporate employee at Infocity.The rising dependence on the Aahaar centres has also raised concerns about service pressure. Staff members said they are managing for now, but if the shortage persists, the centres may need enhanced supply or additional manpower during peak demand.The Aahaar centres are typically located in busy areas such as bus stands, railway stations and hospitals and offer a thousand meals a day. Many centres reported quick winding up due to the ongoing rush.
