Kolkata LPG Crisis: Server Crashes and Supply Woes Plague Households
The simple act of refilling a cooking gas cylinder has transformed into a daily struggle for countless families across Kolkata. Long, winding queues outside LPG dealerships and repeated online booking failures have created a stressful ordeal, disrupting kitchen routines and causing widespread frustration.
Technical Glitches Compound Consumer Woes
Consumers are hitting a digital wall as they attempt to book refills. The servers of major oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been repeatedly crashing under an unexpected surge in booking attempts and eKYC compliance procedures. This technical failure has left many unable to secure their essential fuel source through official channels.
Rajat Saha, a resident of Taratala, exemplifies this struggle. "I have been trying unsuccessfully for two days to place a booking," he reported, highlighting the systemic digital breakdown.
Households Grapple with Kitchen Chaos
For many, the situation has escalated beyond inconvenience to genuine hardship. Moushumi Ghosh, living in Ganguly Bagan, spent a Wednesday morning pleading with her distributor to upgrade her single-cylinder connection to a double one after a decade of trouble-free service.
"Now they say I cannot book another cylinder for more than 25 days, and even after booking it may take another 10 to 15 days for delivery," Ghosh explained. "How will we run a household in such a situation?"
The uncertainty has pushed residents like Puja Sengupta of Purbachal to seek additional connections. "In our household, one cylinder usually lasts for about a month. When I place a refill order, I usually borrow a spare cylinder from my mother who lives nearby. But now even she cannot spare one," Sengupta revealed.
Delivery Delays and Price Confusion Add to Misery
For some, the trouble begins even after successfully navigating the booking process. Kalpana Halder, residing near Kasba Acropolis, described how her son booked a cylinder on March 7 through the Indane app, only to be informed the next day about a price increase and potential delivery delays—despite paying extra for quicker service.
This has forced residents to rely on community support for temporary relief. Sharmistha Dey, a resident of Kumar Para Lane in Rathtala, had to borrow a half-used cylinder from a neighbor after failing to secure a refill. "I don't know when these 25 days will end. Without gas it becomes impossible to manage the kitchen," she stated.
Dealers Overwhelmed by Sudden Rush
LPG distributors find themselves equally overwhelmed by the crisis. A south Kolkata distributor described hundreds of customers visiting daily after failing to place online bookings.
"Consumers are frustrated because they cannot book refills online, and they come directly to our shops hoping for an immediate solution. But we are equally helpless when the system is down," the dealer explained, requesting anonymity.
Geopolitical Tensions Disrupt Supply Chains
Beyond the booking chaos, dealers are confronting significant supply disruptions and logistical challenges. Industry sources indicate that geopolitical tensions in West Asia have adversely affected LPG supply chains.
Compounding this issue, the temporary halt in the supply of commercial (NDNE) cylinders has further strained the system, creating a perfect storm of technical failures and material shortages that shows no immediate signs of abating.
The collective impact of server crashes, supply chain disruptions, and increased demand has created a severe LPG crisis in Kolkata, leaving households and dealers alike searching for solutions to this essential commodity shortage.
