LUCKNOW, April 8 -- As the LPG supply crunch persists across the city, the crisis is now threatening Lucknow's upcoming peak wedding season. Marriage lawns and banquet halls, heavily reliant on commercial cylinders, are facing mounting pressure, forcing many to turn to illegal supply channels to keep their kitchens running. A ground check by HT revealed that several marriage hall owners and caterers are hesitant to speak openly for fear of repercussions, though many admitted to sourcing domestic LPG cylinders through the black market to stay afloat. One such operator, who runs a marriage lawn, said he has not taken a commercial LPG connection for his establishment. "For over two years, we have been managing by buying domestic cylinders in black at around Rs.1,300 each earlier. But now, due to the shortage, even that option is drying up. On multiple requests, we managed two cylinders for Rs 5,500," he said. He added that he has a booking on April 20 for a gathering of around 250 guests. "For 20 days, I have been trying hard but could arrange only two cylinders. As backup, I am using my household cylinder and have arranged coal and wood for cooking," he said. The situation is no better in other parts of the city. Another person, who runs a small banquet, described the crisis as "pathetic" for business owners. A staff member at the same banquet, who also works as a chef, revealed that the establishment has only two commercial LPG cylinders due to high costs. "We usually arrange additional cylinders from the black market, but now it has become very difficult. We are somehow managing and plan to cook some items on a clay furnace," he added. Meanwhile, residents preparing for weddings are also feeling the strain. Shashi Bajpai, who lives near Engineering College and is set to marry his son on April 24, said he had concerns about the shortage but managed to arrange cylinders through relatives and neighbours. "For the wedding function, the responsibility lies with the caterers," he added. Ahead of the peak wedding season, the LPG crisis has exposed a parallel supply chain that many in the business have quietly depended on for years. Now, as shortages deepen, both consumers and service providers are scrambling for alternatives to keep celebrations running....