Ranchi LPG Crisis: Residents Queue for Cylinders Despite Administration's Home Delivery Order
In Ranchi, residents continued to form lengthy queues outside LPG distributors on Sunday, desperately seeking to secure cooking gas cylinders. This situation persists even as the Ranchi district administration has issued directives to oil companies to ensure home delivery to consumers and prevent black-marketing of cylinders.
Administration's Crackdown on Black-Marketing
Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri convened a critical meeting on Saturday with senior officials and representatives from oil and gas companies. The primary objective was to guarantee the availability of LPG and enforce measures so that no customer is compelled to visit godowns or distributor depots to collect cylinders.
"If any individual, whether a gas agency operator or an employee, is found engaging in black-marketing or sale of cylinders at inflated prices, FIRs will be immediately lodged against them, and strict legal action will be initiated," Bhajantri stated emphatically.
Residents' Struggles and Allegations
Despite these stern warnings, residents standing in queues on Sunday reported being forced to visit LPG distribution centers after enduring waits of 10 to 15 days post-booking for delivery. Many expressed frustration, stating they had no alternative but to stand in queues for hours to obtain a cylinder.
Bablu Oraon, a consumer waiting at a distributor in the Chutia area, shared his ordeal: "I booked a cylinder on March 20, but have not received delivery even after 15 days. I have been regularly visiting the distributor, but didn't get a satisfactory reply on what is causing the delay."
In the Netaji Nagar locality of Kantatoli area, approximately 100 people queued up on a road throughout Saturday night to secure cylinders, having failed to receive deliveries more than a week after booking.
Residents of Netaji Nagar alleged that their LPG distributor has consistently failed to deliver cylinders to their homes since the supply disruption began. They also claimed the distributor demanded exorbitant amounts for delivery.
An octogenarian resident of Netaji Nagar, speaking anonymously, revealed: "We have queued up from around 10 pm on Saturday. Despite the district administration assuring that there is no shortage of LPG cylinders, why is our distributor not delivering on time? Moreover, the distributor asked for Rs 1,500 for a cylinder whereas the actual price is Rs 970."
Enforcement Measures and Public Appeals
To address the chaotic queues, Bhajantri directed the deployment of police teams and magistrates at LPG godowns. He also highlighted the potential for further disruptions in LPG supply in the coming days, urging consumers to avoid panic booking.
"Consumers must book strictly within their allotted limits to maintain order and ensure cylinders remain available to all," the DC emphasized.
In a related development, district officials seized nine commercial LPG cylinders from a dhaba at Irwa village under Ormanjhi police station limits. The shop owner, allegedly operating an illegal cylinder refilling unit, absconded.
The district administration has made a public appeal, encouraging citizens to report any instances of black-marketing, illegal storage, or refilling of LPG cylinders to help curb these malpractices.
