Prayagraj: Timely mobile alerts and updates from gas agencies regarding LPG bookings and deliveries have helped ease overcrowding at refill centres across the city.Officials said currently only consumers who face technical issues while booking or need to complete eKYC formalities are visiting agency offices.A distributor on Stanley Road told TOI that: “Once a booking is made through a registered mobile number or other approved modes, oil marketing companies (OMCs) send confirmation messages. Eligible consumers receive a booking reference number within four hours, along with a message that reads ‘we appreciate your patience’. Delivery is assured within a week.”Distributors said once backlogs at an agency are cleared, OMCs generate delivery authentication code (DAC) numbers and ensure doorstep delivery within the stipulated time. They added that regular communication has significantly reduced confusion and crowding at agency offices.Consumers, too, acknowledge receiving regular updates.A customer, Ramesh Pandey, said the alerts have helped reduce anxiety. “After booking, we get frequent updates from OMCs. It is a good step to ease consumers’ frustration,” he said.Distributors said the backlog is steadily declining at all 144 gas agencies in the city and is expected to be cleared within the next 10 days, provided there is no disruption in supply.
