Chhattisgarh Faces Severe LPG Cylinder Shortage, Long Queues and Delivery Delays Reported
Long queues outside LPG agencies and significant delivery delays have been reported from multiple parts of Chhattisgarh, causing widespread inconvenience for consumers. Residents in major cities including Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg-Bhilai, Surguja, and Raigarh are struggling to obtain cooking gas cylinders, disrupting daily life and local businesses.
Consumers Endure Hours of Waiting Amid Technical Glitches
Crowds have been gathering early in the morning outside agencies and warehouses, waiting for hours in the heat in hopes of securing a refill. Technical issues in online booking systems and missed-call services have exacerbated the problem, with many consumers informed that deliveries could take 10 to 12 days. In some areas, booking through online platforms and missed calls was temporarily disrupted due to technical problems and heavy server loads.
In Bilaspur, the Sharda Gas Agency remained closed after stocks were depleted, forcing customers to wander from one agency to another in search of cylinders. The district administration has seized over 200 domestic cylinders in the past two days as part of a crackdown on alleged black-marketing and hoarding. Videos of illegal gas refilling have also surfaced on social media, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Businesses and Daily Life Severely Impacted
The disruption has extended to businesses, particularly restaurants and eateries. With the supply of commercial LPG cylinders halted, many establishments have implemented a 10% surcharge, reduced menu items, or shifted to wood-fired stoves. In districts such as Raigarh and Jagdalpur, hotel operators reported being forced to make alternative arrangements using wood-fired stoves due to the shortage.
Consumers have shared their frustrations, detailing how the situation has upended their daily routines. Santosh Sahu, a resident of Tikrapara in Raipur, spent four hours waiting outside an agency only to be told that stock had run out. "For three days our kitchen has been affected and we are cooking rice on induction, no rotis. Even after standing in line for hours, we were asked to come again later," he said.
In Raigarh, consumer Ranjesh Kumar booked a cylinder on March 5 but has yet to receive it. "I have been visiting the agency repeatedly to get the slip generated, but they say the server is down and the supply vehicle has not arrived," he explained.
Surge in Demand for Alternative Cooking Options
Traders in Raipur noted a significant increase in demand for induction cooktops, with sales jumping by 10-15% in recent days. Prices have risen by 10-20% as consumers rush to secure backup cooking options amid the ongoing shortage.
Government Response and Official Statements
Despite the widespread complaints and visible crowds, the state administration has maintained that there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders, asserting that only the supply of commercial cylinders has been temporarily affected. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao attributed the situation to global circumstances but emphasized that rumors have played a significant role. "There is no shortage of petrol or LPG in the country. People should remain patient and not believe rumors. The government is taking strict action against black-marketing," Sao stated on Saturday.
He added that inspection teams are continuing to monitor supply and check for hoarding and illegal refilling to stabilize the situation in the coming days. The LPG distributors' association cited technical glitches and supply chain issues as primary causes for the disruptions. "Due to heavy load on servers and some supply disruptions, the online booking system has been affected. We are taking manual bookings and deliveries are being prioritized," the association said in a statement.
