Online LPG booking glitch triggers chaos at Karnal gas agencies

The failure of the online LPG booking system created chaos at several gas agencies across Karnal district on Thursday, with long queues of consumers waiting for hours to get cylinders.

The disruption triggered panic among residents, many of whom fear a possible shortage of cooking gas amid the ongoing West Asia war.

Consumers urged the authorities to restore the online booking system at the earliest to prevent overcrowding at gas agencies and ensure uninterrupted LPG supply.

Related news: In Gurugram, LPG crunch forces cloud kitchens to go electric, curtail menu

Why long queues if LPG cylinder supply normal?

“I got the slip yesterday, but did not get a cylinder. I have been standing here since 8 am but there is still no clarity on when we will get the cylinder,” said Ramveer, a local resident waiting outside an agency.

A woman standing in the queue with her son said uncertainty about the supply had made people anxious. “Everyone is worried about cooking gas. If we do not get a cylinder today, we do not know how we will manage meals at home,” she said.

Cylinders eventually reached a couple of agencies after some time and were distributed to a section of consumers. An agency owner said the online booking software had not been working for the past two days, triggering panic among both consumers and distributors.

The situation has also affected eateries in the district.

Owners of dhabas, restaurants, hotels and banquet halls said they were struggling to run their kitchens as commercial LPG cylinders were not easily available.

“If I do not get a cylinder, it is not possible for me to run my dhaba from today,” said Monty, a local dhaba owner.

Some establishments have already begun conserving fuel.

“We have stopped serving tea and coffee for now to save gas. Items that consume more gas such as chapati and dosa have also been temporarily halted,” said a restaurant owner.

Several consumers suggested that kerosene supply through the public distribution system (PDS) should be restored as a backup cooking fuel, particularly for economically weaker families.

Meanwhile, the shortage of LPG cylinders has led to a sharp increase in the sale of induction cooktops across the district.

District Food and Supply Controller Mukesh Kumar had on Wednesday held a meeting with petroleum dealers and LPG agency holders and directed them to submit daily stock reports to the department.

LPG agency holders have also been instructed to provide cylinders only after proper e-KYC verification of consumers to prevent hoarding and black marketing.

Commercial cylinders will be supplied only to health and educational institutions as per directions of the Central Ministry.

“The booking of LPG cylinders will be accepted only after 25 days of the delivery of the cylinder. Those who violate the directions would face action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955,” he added.