The ongoing clash in the Middle East has triggered a wider energy crisis, and its effects are now being felt in Punjab and Chandigarh. The supply of commercial LPG cylinders has been disrupted in many areas, while many residents are facing challenges in booking domestic gas cylinders.
In Amritsar, several gas agencies had to temporarily shut their counters due to overcrowding and a shortage of domestic LPG cylinders. Similar scenes were seen in Chandigarh, where long queues formed outside gas agencies. Many people were seen standing in line with empty cylinders, unsure when they would get a refill. Residents also said that the waiting period for bookings has now stretched to nearly 30 days.
In Mohali, residents are also facing difficulties to get LPG cylinders. People have been lining up outside gas agencies early in the morning. Many say that cylinders booked nearly 20 days ago have still not been delivered to their homes. This delay has disrupted household kitchens and forced families to struggle with daily cooking.
In Moga, the situation has worsened due to a server outage, which is creating problems for those trying to book cylinders through the app. Hotel owners said they are now exploring alternative options because of the shortage. Some eateries are trying to run their kitchens on diesel or other fuels, but this is costly and not very efficient.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered all deputy commissioners to ensure that there is no shortage of LPG anywhere in the state.
He said strict instructions have been issued to district officials to monitor the situation closely. The Chief Minister also warned against hoarding or selling cylinders on the black market.
However, Arun Gupta, president of the LPG Dealers Association, said there is no actual shortage of domestic cylinders. According to him, agencies have enough stock, but deliveries are being affected because many bookings are not showing up on the portal. He said agencies cannot deliver cylinders without verifying the bookings in the system.
Meanwhile, several hospitality industry bodies, including the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), Bengaluru Hotels Association, Chennai Hotels Association, Chennai Tea Shops Association and the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), have raised concerns over the situation.
They warned that if the supply of cooking gas does not improve soon, many restaurants may be forced to shut down. In a statement, the NRAI said the restaurant industry largely depends on commercial LPG for daily operations, and any disruption could lead to the closure of a large number of eateries.
Also read: Budget Session: OppnpProtests LPG shortage, Rahul says PM ‘gayab’
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