LPG Booking System Failures Spark Panic and Long Queues Across Delhi
On Thursday, residents of Delhi faced significant disruptions as glitches in the online booking system for LPG cylinders triggered widespread panic. Women, young children, senior citizens, and office-goers who had taken time off were seen clutching empty cylinders, standing in extensive queues outside distribution agencies throughout the city. The technical issues prevented many from securing domestic refills, leading to desperate attempts to book in person.
Scenes of Frustration and Exhaustion at Local Agencies
At a gas agency in Kamla Nagar, the line extended outside its gate all day, with locals reporting repeated failures in online booking attempts. Among those waiting was Hashim, a 15-year-old observing the Ramzan fast, who stood with his mother and younger brother since morning. "We have been standing here since the morning. The booking was not going through from home. They have given us a slip and are helping us fill it in. After this, we will go to the godown to collect the cylinder," he explained.
As the agency's closing time neared, the crowd swelled, forcing staff to lock the gates to control entry. Deepak, an agency worker, stated, "We are making slips for everyone and sending them to the godown. If cylinders are available, everyone will get one." Many residents, exhausted after hours of waiting, sat on the pavement, while others rushed to the godown only to find it shut due to the heavy rush. Latecomers expressed frustration, with one resident saying, "My cylinder is empty. In the black market, it is extremely expensive and here the queues are very long. I will have to try my luck tomorrow."
Agency and Government Responses to the Crisis
Agency owner Shweta Vaid attributed the rush to server glitches caused by heavy traffic on the booking portal, not a shortage of cylinders. "The server slows down when too many people try to access the website at the same time. We have sufficient stock and everyone will get a cylinder," she assured. Similar scenes were reported at multiple agencies across Delhi.
The Delhi government issued a statement on Thursday, assuring that the supply of LPG, petrol, diesel, and PNG across the capital is completely normal with no scarcity. Residents are advised to refrain from panic buying or hoarding and are urged to ignore rumours regarding disruptions in the fuel supply chain. According to oil marketing companies, Delhi has adequate stocks to ensure seamless operations. Enforcement teams are conducting inspections to curb black marketing and hoarding, with a strict vigil to prevent diversion of domestic LPG for commercial use.
Commercial LPG Supply Disruptions Hit Businesses Hard
The impact of restricted commercial LPG supply is severely affecting large establishments. Sitaram Diwan Chand, a popular chhole bhature chain, had to temporarily shut two outlets in east Delhi on Thursday. Puneet Kohli, director of the chain, said, "The gas supply in our Laxmi Nagar and Krishna Nagar outlets has dried up. Tomorrow, we won't be able to open them because we currently have zero stock and no backup." He warned that the main outlet in Paharganj might also close by Friday if supplies are not restored, affecting 60 to 70 workers and risking customer loss.
Smaller vendors are equally impacted. At Sunil tea shop near ITO, operations slowed after its cylinder ran out in the afternoon, with the stove for frying samosas going cold. A worker noted, "The owner has gone to arrange another cylinder; only then can we continue." The stall may shut on Friday without a refill.
A representative of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) confirmed ongoing supply disruptions, stating, "Supply is still disrupted. We have been informed that our request to resume partial supply to restaurants is under consideration. We hope for a quick resolution." Meanwhile, IGL emphasized that domestic PNG and CNG supplies are being prioritized under the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, ensuring uninterrupted supply for household cooking and transport.
Government Measures and Future Outlook
The department of food supplies and consumer affairs has deployed field officers to facilitate hassle-free booking and ensure compliance. Officials are making arrangements to ensure regulated supply of commercial LPG in due course. Despite the assurances, the immediate crisis highlights vulnerabilities in the booking infrastructure and the need for robust systems to prevent such panic in the future.
