The iconic Decker’s Lane, Central Kolkata’s premier destination for office-goers, is reeling under the heat of the West Asian conflict. As the nationwide LPG crisis intensifies, the street’s legendary eateries, including the famous ‘Chittu Babu’ and Arun Da’s ‘Joy Ma Kali,’ are reverting to traditional coal stoves to keep their business afloat.

Street vendors are facing a nightmare as commercial cylinders, even when priced at a staggering ₹3,000 in the black market, remain unavailable. The shortage has forced shop owners to slash their menus from 30 items to barely 10-12 dishes. Many vendors reported heartbreaking scenes where dough remained prepared, but cooking had to be abandoned midway due to empty cylinders. Consequently, food prices in Decker’s Lane are set to rise significantly. With several shops already planning to pull down their shutters by tomorrow, the future of Kolkata’s most beloved food street looks bleak. Similar reports of distress are pouring in from hotels and restaurants across the districts of West Bengal.