No dosas, no omelettes: Infosys trims food court menus across Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai amid LPG crunch linked to Iran–Israel war

Customers outside an LPG gas godown to purchase cylinders amid a shortage of LPG supply, in Maharashtra's Solapur. (Courtesy: PTI photo)

India's second largest software exporter Infosys has informed employees across campuses in Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune of temporary disruptions to food court services as the company grapples with a shortage of commercial LPG supplies.

In an email to staff on March 11, the company said it is dealing with an "impending situation" related to the availability of LPG, prompting operational adjustments beginning March 12.

As a result, food court operations are being realigned, with certain offerings limited and live cooking counters temporarily withdrawn until further notice. Live cooking counters at campuses generally turn out dishes such as hot piping dosas and omelettes. This is now being shut, as restaurants and commercial establishments are moving away from dishes that need to be cooked on a high gas flame.

The Bengaluru campus typically has a daily footfall of 20,000 employees at its Development Centre.

The issue stems from broader government guidelines affecting LPG usage across sectors amid an ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

Also Read | The Israel–Iran war is coming for your masala dosa

"Food court vendors are currently receiving reduced LPG supplies from their respective providers. All food courts will temporarily operate with a limited menu. Some of cooked food will be sourced from vendor's central kitchen externally. Alternate cooking through Electrical appliances / Biofuel will be increased," a communication to Pune employees read.

The company further advised employees to avoid planning events in campus that would require catering arrangements and bring food from home, when possible.

At the Chennai campus too, some food court items would be temporarily unavailable or offered in limited quantities.

Also Read | Goodbye dosa, hello sandwiches: Bengaluru restaurants turn to ‘jugaad’ amid LPG crisis

Infosys, with over 3,20,000 employees, most of whom are based in India has created capacity to treat 100% of the organic waste within its campuses (food waste and garden waste), through biogas plants and organic waste converters. The resulting biogas is used in food court kitchens, and the compost is used in the landscaping. Sewage sludge generated from the sewage treatment plants is treated in solar drying greenhouses, and the resulting dry sludge is mixed with compost and used in landscaping, according to its ESG disclosure statements in its annual report.