Bettiah: District administrations of West Champaran, Gaya, Bhojpur and Buxar have stepped up enforcement and alternative supply measures to ensure uninterrupted cooking gas availability amid concerns over panic booking, black marketing and illegal storage by commercial establishments.In Bettiah, the district administration on Monday seized 73 empty commercial gas cylinders from a hotel near Station Chowk in Bettiah town of West Champaran district. Officials have sought valid documents from the hotel operator to justify possession of such a large number of cylinders. Further action would be taken based on the verification of these documents, they said.Additional collector-cum-district supply officer, Anil Kumar Sinha, stated that there was no shortage of LPG in the district, with an adequate stock of 23,186 cylinders available. He said the administration has adopted a strict stance against black marketing and illegal storage, and streamlined the distribution system.The district administration of Gaya has stepped up efforts to expand piped natural gas (PNG) connections to households and commercial establishments. DM Shashank Shubhankar on Monday reviewed the progress of the PNG project at a meeting held at the collectorate with officials concerned. The initiative aims to gradually reduce dependence on LPG cylinders and ensure a more stable energy supply.The PNG project holds significance in view of current situation originated due to the LPG crisis. At another review meeting held with the officials of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, the DM observed that complaints are being received at district control room and on social media that customers are being sent delivery messages with OTPs without actually delivering the gas. The DM said, “All hotels in Gaya and Bodh Gaya should be encouraged to apply for PNG connections.”In Bhojpur, district magistrate Tanai Sultania has directed PNG suppliers and officials concerned to accelerate the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections across the district. At a review meeting, the DM stressed the need to widen PNG coverage to stabilise gas availability, especially during peak demand. At present, the district has about 10,000 active PNG consumers, while nearly 15,000 households have completed registration and payment but are awaiting activation.Buxar DM Sahila on Monday confirmed that there is no shortage of cooking gas in Buxar district. “LPG supply is being maintained smoothly through 27 gas agencies linked to Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum. A total of 83,649 gas cylinders were distributed between March 13 and 29,” she said.(With inputs from Alok Kumar in Gaya, Praveen in Ara and K Kamlesh in Buxar)
