By Mukesh 
Food kiosk and restaurant owners in Hyderabad reacted with shock and resignation to the news of a ₹994 hike in commercial liquified petroleum gas cylinder prices on Friday (May 1, 2026) morning.
“Maa rojulu ochai anmata (this means our days have come),” said Usha Rani, who runs Om Sai Ganesh food kiosk that sells idly, vada, and other snacks in the morning. “We are already buying cylinders in the black market at ₹6,000 to ₹6500, this official increase will make it even more expensive. I have raised the price of idly from ₹30 to ₹35 in March. Now, it will be difficult to increase the price again,” she said while packing a plate of idly.