Rajkot: The shortage of commercial LPG cylinders and panic buying in the domestic sector amid volatility due to the ongoing war situation in Gulf countries has led to an unexpected revival of traditional charcoal- or wood-fired stoves (Sigdi) in Rajkot. Over the past week, the Sigdi market on Dudhsagar Road has witnessed a heavy rush, with customers arriving not only from across Gujarat but also from Maharashtra in search of alternative cooking arrangements.

Traders say the demand has increased several-fold in just a few days. Where only two to three charcoal stoves were sold daily earlier, the number has now gone up to 10–12 per day, resulting in waiting periods of three to four days for customers. Along with charcoal stoves, demand has also surged for accessories such as blowers and metal stands used for supporting the stove.

Orders exceed production capacity

A Sigdi manufacturer on Dudhsagar Road said the sudden rise in demand has put pressure on production. “It takes almost a full day to make one Sigdi because it involves cutting, fitting, cementing, and strengthening. Earlier, a Sigdi cost around Rs 1,000 including labour, but now the cost has gone up to nearly Rs 2,000 due to higher material and labour expenses,” he said.

Another trader said the business has been running for decades, but demand of this scale was last seen many years ago. “This is a 50-year-old family business. Earlier, we used to make charcoal stoves mainly for tea stalls, but now, because gas cylinders are not available, people are buying them for cooking. We can make about 10 stoves a day, but we receive 15–20 orders daily, so customers have to wait for three to four days,” he said.

Customers from multiple cities rush to Rajkot

Due to the shortage of commercial cylinders, hotel and restaurant owners are among the biggest buyers. People from Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Amreli, Surendranagar, and even Mumbai have been visiting Rajkot to purchase charcoal stoves.

Sanjaybhai, a restaurant owner from Surendranagar, said he had no option but to switch to coal. “There is a shortage of commercial gas cylinders in our city, so I came to Rajkot to buy a Sigdi for my restaurant. Here also there is heavy demand, and we are being told the waiting period may go up to 15–20 days,” he said.

Businesses hit, alternative arrangements underway

Several small business owners said their work has been affected due to the unavailability of gas cylinders, forcing them to look for temporary solutions such as coal stoves or electric induction cooktops.

Another customer said, “Our work has been closed for four to five days because gas cylinders are not available. We have come to check wood- and coal-based furnaces. The price of charcoal stoves along with blowers has doubled, ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000, and even then there is waiting.”

Another buyer added that he normally requires at least one commercial cylinder every week.
“Right now not a single cylinder is available. Because of this, we are checking coal furnaces. Prices of everything have increased, and even charcoal stoves are being sold at almost double rates,” he said.

Prices rise as demand shoots up

Manufacturers confirmed that the price of charcoal stoves has increased due to both rising raw-material costs and sudden demand. Currently, depending on size, sigdis are selling between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000, nearly double the earlier rates. DeshGujarat