Bhopal LPG Crisis: Police Deployed as Online Booking Failure Sparks Panic
Panic has gripped consumers in Bhopal due to the sudden non-availability of online booking for domestic LPG cylinders, leading to extensive queues at gas agencies across the city. In response to the escalating situation, senior police officials have issued directives to all Station House Officers (SHOs) to coordinate closely with gas agency operators within their jurisdictions.
Police Coordination and Patrol Measures
Senior police authorities have instructed SHOs to advise gas agency operators to immediately inform the police in case of any disputes or instances of excessive crowding. To ensure order and safety, police patrol teams have been directed to conduct regular visits to gas agencies and storage godowns where consumers are gathering in long queues to book and collect domestic LPG cylinders.
ACP (Nishatpura) Akshay Choudhary emphasized that SHOs were specifically tasked with coordinating with gas agency operators in their respective areas and alerting police promptly if any disturbances occur during the distribution process. He noted that, so far, no complaints of disputes or disruptions have been reported at any agency, but the proactive measures are in place to prevent potential issues.
Enhanced Security and Monitoring
In addition to ground coordination, ACP Choudhary stated that bike patrol units and Dial-112 First Response Vehicles (FRVs) have been instructed to carry out regular patrolling at gas agencies. This enhanced security protocol aims to monitor the situation closely and respond swiftly to any emerging problems, ensuring public safety amid the consumer panic.
The failure of the online booking system has not only caused inconvenience but also raised concerns about supply chain disruptions. Consumers, frustrated by the inability to book cylinders digitally, have resorted to physical queues, leading to crowded conditions that authorities are now actively managing to avoid any untoward incidents.
