LPG Crisis In 3rd Week: eKYC Logjam Keeps Queues Swelling Nagpur: As the LPG supply disruption linked to the West Asia conflict enters its third week, the situation remains tense with new challenges emerging. While some stability has been observed in fuel distribution, the process of completing eKYC verification has become a major bottleneck, causing long queues at gas agencies across the city. Officials noted that a significant portion of daily visitors to these centers are individuals who failed to complete the eKYC process earlier and are now arriving alongside those seeking refills. This has exacerbated the already crowded conditions at the agencies. Distributors are currently managing two distinct categories of consumers: those requiring routine refills or new connections, and those with pending eKYC verification. The additional verification process for the latter group is contributing to extended wait times at counters. Sharad Saraf, an agency representative, explained that while the compliance requirement for eKYC has been in place for over a year, a backlog has now emerged. "Many consumers delayed completing eKYC despite repeated advisories. Now they are coming in simultaneously, which is increasing the footfall at agencies," he said. The verification process has created significant hurdles for several residents. "OTP failures linked to outdated Aadhaar-registered mobile numbers remain a recurring issue, forcing many to update their details before completing eKYC," Saraf added. "Since the LPG shortage is being experienced across the country, the online system is also under heavy load, leading to slower response times." Sunita Petkar, a resident of Mahal, shared her frustration: "I was asked to complete eKYC before getting a refill, but I am not receiving the OTP as my old number is linked.#nagpur #mahal #anand_padole #sharad_saraf #sunita_petkar
LPG Queues Grow, Police Shield For Agencies Likely Residents in Nagpur are facing growing frustration as long queues form outside LPG agencies amid a severe supply shortage. Cylinder distributors in the district may soon receive police protection to prevent law-and-order issues, as authorities work to manage the crisis. Public anger has intensified as people struggle to secure domestic LPG cylinders, with online booking systems reportedly failing in several areas. This has forced individuals to visit agencies directly, hoping to obtain refills. Waiting times have stretched beyond a month in some cases, leading to crowds gathering outside distribution points. A similar situation recently occurred in Kamptee, where tensions flared at a gas agency, briefly turning volatile. The administration is considering measures to address the crisis, including providing police protection to LPG agencies, delivery vehicles, and distribution staff. During a recent meeting chaired by the chief secretary and attended by officials from across the state, it was decided that police assistance would be provided if large crowds gather during cylinder distribution and agencies request protection, after assessing the law-and-order situation. The district administration has also formed a special committee to monitor LPG availability, headed by collector Dr Vipin Itankar. The committee includes rural SP Harssh Poddar as member secretary, district supply officer Anand Padole, municipal commissioner, and senior officials from HPCL, IOCL, and BPCL. This group will track LPG stocks, coordinate with oil companies, and ensure smoother distribution across the district. Authorities have announced the creation of 24x7 control rooms at both district and municipal levels.#nagpur #kamptee #dr_vipin_itankar #harssh_poddar #anand_padole
