Patna LPG Crisis: Delivery Agents Face Public Anger, Threats, and Assaults
In Patna, the delay in domestic LPG cylinder supplies has escalated into a severe crisis, with delivery agents bearing the brunt of public frustration. Across the city, agents are encountering anger, threats, and even physical assaults from consumers desperate for cylinders. This hostile environment is forcing agents to alter their delivery methods, which in turn is slowing down an already strained distribution system, exacerbating the situation for everyone involved.
Agents Forced to Hide and Adapt Delivery Methods
Mukesh Kumar, a delivery agent attached to a gas agency in the Kadamkuan area and assigned to the Bakarganj area, revealed the extreme measures he has taken to avoid confrontation. "I have hidden my cart behind B N College and from there I am carrying cylinders on my shoulder one-by-one," he said. "I cannot take the cart inside residential areas as people rush towards it and force us to give them cylinders. Earlier this week, they gheraoed and abused me for not giving them cylinders."
Mukesh added that some consumers are offering bribes of up to Rs 2,000 for immediate delivery, but agents are under strict instructions to supply cylinders only to households whose slips have been issued by the agency. "People are offering us bribes, but we do not want to lose our jobs. We have clear instructions to deliver cylinders only to the houses for which slips have been issued," he emphasized.
Violence and Increased Workload for Delivery Workers
The crisis has turned violent in some instances. Mukesh reported that a fellow delivery worker in the Agamkuan area was beaten up a day earlier and suffered serious injuries. "Are we the culprits? We are poor people. Our work has become far more tedious. Imagine carrying 10 to 15 cylinders on our shoulders over long distances. Earlier we used to finish work by noon; now it continues till evening," he lamented, highlighting the physical and emotional toll on agents.
Pankaj Kumar, a delivery agent linked to an LPG agency in Ashiana Nagar, has switched from handcarts to a motorcycle from Tuesday due to safety concerns. "People stop us when they see cylinders on carts and pressure us to hand them over, even threatening us. In my 16-year career, I have never seen such a situation," he said, underscoring the unprecedented nature of the crisis.
Consumers Desperate for Cylinders Amid Distribution Chaos
On the other side, consumers are growing increasingly desperate. Ashok, a television mechanic, shared his struggle: "I went to the agency in the morning and there was a long queue. I was told to update my KYC to get the cylinder. I am requesting delivery agents to help me with at least one cylinder, but no one is helping." This reflects the widespread frustration among residents who are left chasing delivery workers in vain.
Ramesh Kumar, who delivers cylinders in the Bhanwar Pokhar area, noted that the atmosphere remains tense, with workers uncertain about how long the crisis will persist. The combination of public anger, threats, and assaults has created a volatile environment, making it difficult for agents to perform their duties safely and efficiently.
Overall, the LPG cylinder shortage in Patna has spiraled into a distribution nightmare, with delivery agents caught in the crossfire of public desperation. As agents resort to hiding carts and carrying cylinders manually, the system's efficiency plummets, prolonging the wait for consumers and intensifying the crisis.
