LPG Shortage Crisis Grips Kartarpur Village as Gas Agency Withdraws Supply
Amid escalating concerns over a potential shortage of LPG cylinders, residents in the Kartarpur region have begun engaging in panic buying, exacerbating an already critical situation. In Dyalpur village, located within Kartarpur, a severe LPG crisis has unfolded, impacting essential community services and numerous households.
Essential Services and Households Forced to Use Firewood
A local gurdwara, a crematorium, and approximately 100 households in Dyalpur are now grappling with an acute LPG shortage. This dire situation arose after a gas agency based in Begowal allegedly ceased supplying cylinders to its own registered consumers. The agency's withdrawal has left the village without reliable access to cooking fuel, compelling these entities to resort to using balan (firewood) for their daily needs.
Protests and Temporary Relief Efforts
In response to the crisis, villagers have organized two protests to voice their grievances. During one demonstration, residents and a rural workers' union blocked a highway, prompting a separate Kartarpur-based agency to supply 50 cylinders on Tuesday. However, this provided only temporary relief, as the Begowal agency has yet to resume deliveries, worsening the ongoing shortage.
Village Sarpanch Harjinder Singh expressed frustration, stating that the agency had initially promised LPG connections when villagers applied but is now citing jurisdiction issues. "During the crisis, they say it is an emergency situation and cylinders cannot be supplied outside their area. These are not extra demands but registered consumers. Where are their cylinders going?" he questioned, adding that agency officials have stopped responding to his calls.
Failed Attempts and Rising Black Market Prices
On Wednesday, in a desperate bid to secure fuel, five to six families from Dyalpur loaded their empty cylinders onto an autorickshaw and traveled 20-25 kilometers to the Begowal agency. Despite their efforts, they returned empty-handed after being refused service. Parminder Singh, a resident, shared, "We spent money from our own pockets to approach the agency for refill. But they refused us, saying cylinders can only be sent through vehicles. Cylinders' black market rates touch Rs 3,000-3,500. We can't afford such costly cylinders."
Several families continue to wait at the panchayat ghar, where cylinder delivery vehicles typically arrive. Apart from the 50 cylinders supplied by the alternative agency, no further deliveries have been made by the Begowal agency, leaving many residents in a state of uncertainty and distress.
Community Disappointment and Ongoing Struggles
Sarpanch Harjinder Singh highlighted the emotional toll on the community, noting, "It is disappointing to watch people return home heavy-hearted. I've been making calls to the agency, but now they have blocked my phone." This communication breakdown has further isolated the village, compounding the challenges faced by residents who rely on LPG for cooking and other essential activities.
The LPG crisis in Kartarpur underscores broader issues of fuel accessibility and supply chain reliability in rural areas, with immediate impacts on daily life and community well-being.
