Pune: Frustration is mounting among residents across the city as delays in LPG cylinder deliveries have pushed people to line up outside gas agencies in the hope of securing a refill. Speaking to TOI in queues at several areas, people said the uncertainty over supplies has forced many to take leave from work or shut their businesses for a day to stand in line, unsure about when their next cylinder will arrive.Govt has increased the minimum waiting period for booking a domestic LPG cylinder refill from 21 days to 25 days, a move aimed at preventing hoarding and ensuring equitable distribution of cooking gas. Bookings are made online and filled cylinders are delivered to households accordingly. In some parts of Pune, consumers reported receiving cylinders within two to three days, but other areas said they are facing acute shortages. The uneven supply has triggered panic, with people flocking to local gas agencies hoping to secure a refill directly.
Chetan Gaikwad, a home chef from Katraj, said he spent the day travelling across Pune in search of a cylinder. “I have been running from pillar to post to get a cylinder. Someone told me to go to Kharadi, so I did. Then I went to Deccan and now I have come to Fatimanagar, but had no luck yet,” he said.At a gas distribution centre in Rahatani, the scene on Friday afternoon turned chaotic. Dozens of residents arrived carrying empty LPG cylinders on two-wheelers, bicycles, in autorickshaws and even private cars, hoping to get them refilled before stocks ran out.Under the blazing afternoon sun, 70-year-old Kanta Bai stood patiently in a slow-moving queue that had already stretched out for several hours. “The line is moving very slowly. I have already been standing here for over four hours. I just hope that I will get my refilled cylinder before the stock finishes,” she said, wiping sweat from her forehead.The rush forced gas agency staff to tighten monitoring of cylinder movement. A senior staff member at a centre said they were maintaining a strict register of delivery personnel collecting cylinders for home deliveries. “We are keeping a record of all agents who pick up cylinders from our centre so that they are not diverted elsewhere. With such a heavy rush, we have to ensure proper distribution,” the staffer said.In another corner of Rahatani, a group of school students who had emerged from classes sat on individual cylinders in a queue, while their parents waited inside the agency office. Many residents crowded the office counters, trying to make payments and register their bookings, occasionally leading to heated arguments with agency staff.Rupesh Sarwade, a painting contractor from Pimpri, stood beside his empty cylinder with his office bag slung over one shoulder, visibly frustrated. “I thought I would get the cylinder refilled quickly, but it has already been more than two-and-a-half hours. I don’t think I will be done here anytime soon. My entire work schedule is disturbed, and I may suffer business losses because even my workers are busy arranging cylinders for their homes,” he said.Amit Goyal, owner of the Amit Gas Agency in Wadgaonsheri, said the shortage has left distributors struggling to meet bookings. “We deal in Reliance gas cylinders, but for the last three days, we have not received any refill stock. We have 15-20 bookings pending, but cannot fulfil them as we don’t have any cylinders. Customers are calling every few minutes, but we are helpless,” he said.Not all is lost, however, with some city residents reporting smooth access to the cooking fuel. “I booked my LPG refill through the company’s app last week, expecting a long delay because of all the news about shortages. Surprisingly, the cylinder was delivered within three days. The delivery boy said supply is irregular, but some areas are still getting cylinders as usual,” said Nachiket Patil, a resident of NIBM Road.Similarly, Meenakshi Kulkarni, a resident of Aundh, said, “I was worried after hearing about people standing in queues, but my booking was completed in four days. I placed the request online and the cylinder arrived without much trouble. However, the delivery staff said the situation could change anytime.”
