Prayagraj: The city’s LPG distributors are demanding increase in cooking gas supplies to clear backlog despite repeated assurance of oil marketing companies that the situation is under control.Sangam city has around 14 lakh consumers including 5 lakh in urban pockets. The distributors said that with consumers booking online as well as offline, data piling up and creating backlog at all 144 gas agencies.Requesting not to be named, a distributor told TOI “It will take at least two weeks to clear the backlog if supply chain is maintained daily. We have been requesting oil companies and administration to take corrective measures to clear the backlog”.Regulation of consumer booking only once in 25 days has raised serious concerns and consumers are creating unruly scenes at agencies.A Dariyabad-based consumer said, “If there is no shortage, as is being claimed repeatedly by officials, why are there such restrictive measures? After booking for cylinder last week, we are still waiting for delivery.”Distributors claimed earlier suspension of booking channels for three to four days had created a surge of pending bookings at all agencies and further aggravated the situation. Distributors are now facing increased public pressure without sufficient supply and support even as supply from bottling plants continues to fall short of meeting existing demand.A distributor in old city said, “LPG distributors are facing mounting backlogs and inadequate supply. The inadequate supply of gas cylinders has left the public struggling, with long waiting time, causing widespread frustration. The gap between assurances and actual delivery is eroding consumers’ trust and customers are venting their anger on distributors, leading to frequent disputes, even though it is our fault.” Much before most agencies open at 10 am, customers arrive and queue since early morning.
