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Due to the ongoing war in West Asia and uncertainty in the Gulf region affecting the supply of petroleum, including cooking gas, consumers in Bardibas have begun turning towards electric cookers. Traders reported that, alongside the gas shortage, rising prices have significantly increased the demand for electric stoves.

Although the use of electric cookers as an alternative to gas is growing rapidly, consumers point out that their sustainable use depends on a reliable electricity supply.

According to local traders, before the escalation of the Iran-Israel war, only around seven to eight electric cookers were sold per month. But now sales have risen to over 200 units monthly. With homemakers also increasingly adopting them, market transactions have surged.

More than half a dozen businesses in Bardibas, including Rohan Enterprises, Prince Kitchenware Store, Shrestha Electronics and Balster Electronics, are selling electric cookers.

Roshan Shrestha, proprietor of Rohan Enterprises, said that following gas shortage, he sold 60 units last month. “Earlier, we used to sell only two to three units a month. Now, we are unable to meet the rising demand,” he said.

Similarly, Santosh Subedi, manager of Prince Kitchenware Store, said that supply has remained below the demand. He reported that more than 42 units (seven cartons) were sold from his shop in Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April) alone.

He added that now dealers are also unable to supply enough stock. “I ordered five cartons (30 units) from a dealer in Kathmandu a week ago, but they have not yet been delivered. If supply matched demand, my shop alone could sell more than 200 units a month,” he said.

Currently, two types of electric cookers - induction and infrared - are available in the market. Sellers say that around 70 per cent of consumers prefer infrared cookers, as they can be used with any type of cookware. However, due to insufficient supply, some customers have had to return empty-handed.

Samiksha Paudel of Bardibas-1 said she had started using an electric cooker as it is easier, safer and eliminates the hassle of transporting gas cylinders. “Since bringing home an electric (infrared) cooker, I have stopped using my gas stove. As the money spent on gas goes abroad, I have made my kitchen gas-free,” she said.

Meanwhile, Saroj Shrestha, president of the Bardibas Gas Association, said that gas supply has declined significantly in recent times. Previously, around 300 cylinders were consumed daily in Bardibas, but that number has now dropped to about 80.

“If we exclude hotels, ordinary consumers are reluctant to purchase half a cylinder. This could be another reason why the use of electric cookers is increasing,” he said.

However, despite the rising use of electric cookers, irregular electricity supply remains a major concern for consumers.

Sumitra Devi of Bardibas-3 said, “Electric stoves are convenient and cheaper, but frequent power cuts are frustrating. If electricity was reliable, there would be no need for gas at all.”

By Rabindra Upreti