Karnal LPG crisis: People queue outside gas agencies, dhaba owners shift to diesel bhattis

A severe shortage of LPG cylinders in Karnal has disrupted daily life, forcing residents to stand in long queues outside gas agencies from early morning. Many people complained that despite waiting for hours, they had to return home empty handed as the supply failed to arrive.

Long queues of customers were stretched along the roadside outside a couple of gas agencies in the city. People, holding empty cylinders and copies, are in hope of getting a refill. Some residents said they had been coming to the agencies for the past couple of days, but were unable to get a cylinder due to limited supply.

“I have been coming here for the last two days, but have failed to get a cylinder,” said Rajesh Kumar, a resident waiting outside an agency.

Deepak Kumar, another local resident, said that every day he stood in line for hours. He waited till late Friday evening, but the cylinder stock got over and he had to go home without refill.

Residents said that they had no choice but to leave their work and stand in queues in order to secure a refill. Some daily wage earners expressed frustration, saying the situation was affecting their livelihood.

“We have to skip work just to stand in line for gas,” said Babu Ram, another customer.

Customers also complained about difficulties in online booking, saying the system was either unresponsive or bookings were not being processed on time.

The shortage has also affected local dhabas and eateries, many of which depend heavily on commercial LPG for cooking. Several owners said they have temporarily switched to diesel-fired bhattis to keep their kitchens running.

“We cannot stop serving customers. Since gas cylinders are not available, we have started using diesel bhattis. It is more expensive and inconvenient, but we have no other option,” said Monty, a dhaba owner. He said that shortage has increased operational costs.

DFSC holds meeting of petroleum and LPG agency holders, directs to submit stock position daily

• District Food and Supply Controller (DFSC), Mukesh Kumar on Thursday held a meeting of petroleum dealers, LPG agency holders, directing them to submit their stock report daily with the department. LPG agency holders have been instructed to provide LPG cylinders to consumers only after the proper e-KYC to stop black hoarding.
• Commercial cylinders will be delivered only to health and education institutions as per the directions of the Central Ministry. The booking of LPG cylinder will be accepted only after 25 days of the delivery of the cylinder.
• Kumar made it clear that no cylinder will be delivered without booking.
• Owners of petrol pumps have been directed to ensure smooth supply of petrol and diesel without overcharging. “Those who violate the directions would face action under Essential Commodities Act 1955,” he added.
• The state government has already directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) to ensure strict monitoring to prevent diversion of domestic LPG for non-household use. DC Uttam Singh appealed to people not to be involved in panic buying as there is sufficient supply of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders across the district.