Patna LPG Crisis: Ghost Deliveries and Fake Entries Spark Consumer Outrage
Residents in Patna are facing mounting frustration amid the ongoing LPG crisis, with allegations of ghost deliveries and unauthorised refill entries in gas distributors' records. Consumers across the city report that gas agencies are falsely marking cylinders as delivered without actually supplying them, leading to widespread complaints and calls for immediate investigation.
Pattern of Digital Manipulation and Consumer Distress
Multiple complaints on social media platforms, particularly X, reveal a concerning pattern where delivery staff allegedly create fake entries in company records. Ghost deliveries refer specifically to situations where LPG cylinders are marked as delivered in official systems without ever reaching consumers' doorsteps.
Abdus Salam, a resident of Bhagwanpur, shared screenshots of his mother Samroon Nisha's LPG account showing an unauthorised refill entry dated February 24, 2026. "The gas agency sent a message showing a refill delivered on February 24, with the next booking allowed only on April 11, 2026," he explained. "We did not take any cylinder in the last year. We didn't even book the gas—someone took it away. This is black-marketing by the gas agency. I'm really troubled by this."
Similar Complaints Across Multiple Neighborhoods
Vickey Kumar from Mithapur reported an identical experience: "I booked a gas refill and paid for it, but I did not receive the cylinder, even though the status shows 'delivered'. Why is this recurring problem in Patna, Bihar? It should be addressed immediately."
These incidents are not isolated. Similar complaints from Patna and surrounding areas follow the same troubling pattern:
- SMS alerts claiming delivery on specific dates
- Empty connections despite confirmed delivery status
- Blocked re-bookings due to false delivery entries
- Suspected diversion of cylinders to the black market
Additional Cases Highlight Systemic Issues
Jitendra Kumar detailed how he booked a cylinder on February 22 but never received it, despite receiving an SMS confirming delivery. Tagging the district administration on X, he wrote: "Please investigate and arrange delivery urgently," while sharing specific details about the gas agency involved.
Earlier, Birendra Kumar from Kadamkuan flagged a similar issue: "Our LPG booking is showing 'delivered', but no one actually came to deliver it. At a time when the country is already facing gas supply tightness, these ghost deliveries only add to confusion and mistrust."
Official Response and Promised Action
Responding to the growing allegations, Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan SM confirmed that the administration is actively examining such cases. "We will hold a meeting with representatives of the gas companies and place before them the issues faced by the common people," he stated. "Action will be taken against those responsible for these irregularities."
The district administration's examination comes amid increasing consumer suspicion that cylinders are being systematically diverted to the black market, with digital records manipulated to close delivery entries and prevent legitimate re-bookings. This practice not only deprives consumers of essential cooking fuel but also exacerbates the existing LPG supply challenges facing the region.
