Nagpur Grapples with Severe LPG Shortages Amid OTP Delivery Bottleneck
In Nagpur, the resumption of commercial LPG supply has failed to meet soaring demand, creating a critical backlog that is severely impacting hotels, caterers, and bulk users. Despite the restart, the supply chain remains crippled, leaving many businesses struggling to maintain daily operations. LPG dealers report that even major distributors are receiving a mere 50 to 80 cylinders per day, a fraction of the actual demand, forcing widespread delays and rationing across the city.
OTP System Blamed for Slowing Down Cylinder Deliveries
Dealers have pinpointed the mandatory OTP-based delivery system as the primary cause of the supply bottleneck. According to Bablu Tiwari, state president of the LPG Dealers Association of India, this verification process has drastically increased the time required for each delivery. "Because of OTP verification, each delivery is now taking 10 to 15 minutes, which has sharply reduced the total number of cylinders that can be supplied daily," Tiwari explained. This operational constraint has directly led to a significant reduction in daily refill completions, exacerbating the shortage.
Ground-Level Issues Compound the Crisis
The association has highlighted multiple practical problems in a formal representation to authorities. Tiwari detailed that OTP deliveries often fail due to inaccessible registered mobile numbers, particularly in households where the connection holder is absent. "Workers in industrial areas cannot access phones during duty hours, many consumers have outdated numbers, and in rural and semi-urban areas, people frequently change SIM cards, making OTP validation unreliable," he stated. Additionally, technical glitches and logistical hurdles, such as unreceived OTP messages on certain networks and delivery staff unfamiliar with smartphones, further disrupt the process. Software errors during OTP entry are also contributing to repeated delays, adding to the growing backlog.
Administrative Response and Depot Chaos
A meeting was convened on Wednesday with senior district administration officials, gas agencies, and distributors to address the escalating situation. Officials directed agencies to increase stock levels in high-demand areas and deploy additional manpower to manage the heightened workload and customer crowds. Meanwhile, a separate incident at an HP gas depot in the Nara area sparked chaos when approximately 25-30 customers received false SMS notifications claiming their cylinders had been delivered, despite not receiving them. Enraged customers gathered at the depot near Nara crematorium, confronting the owner and creating a tense standoff. Police from Jaripatka station, led by senior inspector Anil Taksande, intervened to control the situation, facilitating cylinder distribution under supervision after discussions with the depot operator. Rumors of looting circulated but were firmly denied by police, who confirmed the matter was resolved peacefully without any such incidents.
