Panic Buying Sparks Long Queues at LPG Agencies in Noida and Ghaziabad
Despite repeated assurances from district administrations that there is no shortage of domestic cooking gas, long queues were observed outside LPG distribution agencies in Noida and Ghaziabad on Thursday. Residents began lining up as early as 7 am, many carrying empty cylinders after home deliveries failed to arrive days after booking.
Residents Face Frustration and Delays
At a Sector 63 agency in Noida, dozens waited for hours in the hope of getting their cylinders exchanged for refilled ones. Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Bahlolpur village, said he had been waiting outside the agency since morning with an empty cylinder. "I booked my refill almost a week ago, but it has still not been delivered. Our gas ran out at home, so I had to come to the agency," he explained.
Similar scenes unfolded in Ghaziabad. Outside an LPG outlet in Crossings Republik, a long queue of residents formed along the street. At another agency in Patel Nagar, customers arrived with empty cylinders only to find a notice at the entrance saying supplies had run out.
Rafiq, a resident of Bamheta who was waiting in line at Crossings Republik, reported technical issues with online booking. "The system is not accepting my mobile number, and the website isn't working," he said. "I came here hoping they would exchange my cylinder."
Sunita Devi, who visited the Patel Nagar agency, said she waited nearly an hour before being turned away. "By the time I reached the gate, they put up a notice saying there were no cylinders," she said. "Now I have to go home without a refill, and I still cannot book one online."
Officials Blame Panic and Technical Glitches
Officials stated that the crowds were largely driven by panic rather than a genuine shortage. Noida district supply officer Smriti Gautam emphasized that most residents who queued at agencies did not have valid bookings. "Consumers who have made bookings do not need to stand in queues," she said. "Their cylinders will be delivered to their homes. We have not received complaints from people with confirmed bookings and did not receive a cylinder."
According to Gautam, most households are receiving cylinders within three days of booking, instead of the usual delivery within 24 hours. She added that commercial cylinders for hospitals and educational institutions were also being supplied regularly.
To prevent hoarding and black marketing, the Centre has introduced a mandatory gap between bookings — 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural regions. Joint inspection teams from the police and supply department, led by sub-divisional magistrates, have been tasked with monitoring gas agencies and taking action against illegal storage or rumour-mongering.
Technical Issues Worsen the Situation
Officials acknowledged that technical issues with LPG booking systems had exacerbated the situation. Gautam explained that the national booking server had slowed due to heavy demand. "We have advised residents to try booking at night when server traffic is lower," she said. The district administration has also set up a control room to handle complaints related to gas supply.
In Ghaziabad, DM Ravindra Mander attributed the surge in bookings to rumours circulating among residents. "Many consumers are trying to book cylinders at the same time, which has increased the load on booking servers and caused temporary technical glitches," he said, adding that the issue was likely to be resolved within one or two days.
Authorities urged residents not to crowd distribution centres. "Consumers do not need to visit gas agencies after making a booking," Mander said. "As usual, cylinders will be delivered directly to their homes."
Sufficient Supply Capacity Assured
Officials assured that the region has sufficient supply capacity. Gautam Buddha Nagar district has 64 LPG agencies serving about 10 lakh domestic consumers, while Ghaziabad has 95 agencies catering to nearly 12 lakh households. Both districts also have a large base of piped natural gas users — about four lakh domestic PNG connections in Noida and 3.5 lakh in Ghaziabad — and officials confirmed there has been no disruption in piped gas supply.
This incident highlights the challenges of managing public panic during perceived shortages, emphasizing the need for robust communication and technical infrastructure to ensure smooth service delivery.
