Varanasi LPG Booking System Collapses, Sparks Widespread Consumer Panic
In Varanasi, a severe disruption in the LPG cylinder booking system has left thousands of domestic and commercial consumers in a state of distress. The crisis stems from technical failures in both mobile applications and missed call services, with users receiving error messages like "Cannot Process Request" or no response at all. This has triggered long queues at LPG agencies and godowns, where frustrated individuals wait for hours with empty cylinders.
Technical Glitches Paralyze Booking Channels
Consumers attempting to book refills via designated missed call numbers report receiving no confirmation messages or delivery authentication codes (DAC). Repeated attempts from morning until late night have choked booking lines, even for those eligible after the mandatory 25-day gap. When using company apps, users encounter on-screen replies stating "Cannot Process," alongside details of their last delivery and next booking date.
Petroleum company officials acknowledge that the volume of missed call bookings far exceeds app users, but they remain unable to explain why automated replies aren't generated for these consumers. This lack of clarity has exacerbated the chaos, with agency staff often abandoning their posts to avoid confrontations with angry customers.
Commercial Sector Bears the Brunt
The crisis is particularly acute for commercial consumers, including hotels, food outlets with modular kitchens, and street food vendors. Since the rejuvenation of Kashi Vishwanath Dham in December 2021, these businesses have proliferated across the city and along highways. Many now face operational shutdowns due to LPG shortages.
Gokul Sharma, president of the Banaras Hotel Association, highlights that while high- and medium-range hotels often have PNG lines, budget-conscious pilgrims prefer affordable street food. The non-availability of commercial cylinders threatens this vital tourism sector, forcing some vendors to revert to coal or wood-fired ovens, though many lack such setups.
Administrative Response and PNG Alternative
To address the emergency, the district administration and GAIL have finalized a plan to provide PNG connections to commercial consumers on an urgent basis. District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar announced that area-wise camps will be organized to expedite this process, with connections possible within one to two weeks. Currently, 67,000 PNG connections are operational, covering approximately 25% of the population.
Kumar emphasizes that there is no overall LPG cylinder shortage, attributing the 25-day booking restriction to prevent hoarding and black marketing. However, many consumers were shocked to learn they had exhausted their annual quotas and must wait until April for their next refill.
Systemic Issues and Manual Booking Halt
Agency staff reveal that manual booking, once a fallback option, has been completely discontinued by companies for several years. Consumers are now advised to verify their KYC compliance, adding another layer of complexity. With 10.36 lakh LPG consumers served by 81 agencies in Varanasi and a daily refilling average of 23,600, the system's failure has widespread implications.
District Supply Officer Krishna Ballabh Singh and Indian Oil Sales Officer Satish Yadav confirm the app issues but offer no immediate solutions for missed call users. As the crisis unfolds, the reliance on digital systems is being critically questioned, with calls for more robust and responsive alternatives growing louder among the affected populace.
