Shillong: In a troubling sign of supply strain, a community kitchen in Meghalaya that served meals to nearly 200 people daily at just Rs 5 has been forced to shut down operations for the first time in years due to an acute shortage of LPG.

Located at the busy Jhalupara Taxi Stand in Shillong, the ‘Aahar’ community kitchen suspended its services on Wednesday, ending an uninterrupted run of 3,858 days. The kitchen had become a lifeline for daily wage earners, drivers, and the urban poor who relied on it for affordable meals.

Officials linked the disruption to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has begun to impact the supply chain of cooking gas. While authorities have maintained that LPG availability remains adequate, the ground situation appears to tell a different story, with many struggling to access regular supplies.

Launched in 2018 by the Ardhendu Chaudhuri Charitable Trust, the initiative was widely appreciated for its consistent service and social impact. Its sudden closure has raised concerns among beneficiaries and locals, many of whom now face uncertainty over their daily meals.

There is no clear timeline yet on when the kitchen will resume operations, as the shortage continues to affect supply lines.