Gurgaon: Gurgaon has become the first city in NCR to get an LPG ATM — a smart vending machine that can hand out a lightweight gas cylinder in just two to three minutes. Installed at Central Park Flower Valley in Sector 33 of Sohna, the Bharatgas Insta LPG machine brings automated, contactless distribution to a residential township at a time when supply is tight and consumers are looking for quicker refill options.The machine, officials said, dispenses composite LPG cylinders that are lighter, cleaner and easier to handle than conventional ones. Unlike traditional iron cylinders, which weigh about 31kg in total with 14kg of gas, the fibre-based composite version weighs around 15kg with the same quantity of gas. Its transparent body also allows users to check the gas level easily.The refill process is fully automated. A consumer with a registered Bharatgas composite cylinder connection enters a mobile number, verifies it through an OTP, scans the barcode or QR code on the empty cylinder, and completes payment digitally through UPI or a debit card. After a digital eligibility check, the machine releases a filled cylinder and stores the empty one inside.Officials said the ATM, installed on March 6, can hold 10 cylinders at a time. Once the stock falls to two, the nearest gas agency gets an alert and replenishes it.However, only four cylinders have been dispensed so far, largely because very few people know about the facility yet.An official said the composite cylinders are “easier to carry, safer to use and better in appearance because they are dust-free and corrosion-free”. Consumers can also exchange a regular cylinder for a composite one at the machine.Residents said the biggest advantage of the machine is freedom from delivery schedules. Rajiv Kumar, a resident of Central Park, said the machine had made daily life far more convenient. “Earlier, we had to plan refills in advance and wait for delivery. Now, a cylinder can be collected in a few minutes at any time. The 24×7 access and simple digital process are especially useful for working families,” he added.The rollout is part of BPCL’s limited pilot to test automated LPG dispensing in select locations. A company spokesperson said the machine reflected BPCL’s effort to use technology to improve convenience and access.“We want to offer a quick and reliable refill experience, while also encouraging the use of efficient composite cylinders,” the spokesperson said.Officials said the facility is here to stay and will continue even after the current shortage eases.
