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 "OTP failures linked to outdated Aadhaar-registered mobile numbers remain a recurring issue, forcing many to update their details before completing eKYC," Saraf added.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
Two groups clashed in Mahal over horn honking, leaving two youths injured and causing tension in the area on Monday night. The incident occurred around 10:30 pm in front of a saree store at Badkas Chowk, which falls under the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station. The injured individuals were identified as Pankaj Singh and Rishabh Singh. Authorities deployed a significant police presence to the location to prevent any further law and order issues. The altercation, which involved armed individuals, highlights the escalating tensions in the region over minor disputes. Local police are investigating the incident to determine the exact circumstances and identify any additional parties involved. The event has raised concerns about public safety and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.#mahal #badkas_chowk #kotwali_police_station #pankaj_singh #rishabh_singh
Induction Cooktops Surge in Demand Amid LPG Shortage Nagpur: A sudden shortage of LPG cylinders in the city triggered an unprecedented rush for induction cooktops. Retail outlets and online platforms reported that the appliances were sold out or critically low in stock. A check by The Times of India across multiple quick commerce platforms showed induction cooktops were largely unavailable, with most listings marked as sold out and no clear restocking timeline. Similar scenes were reported at electronics stores, where customers enquired in large numbers and were placed on waiting lists. Retailers attributed the surge in demand to delays in LPG cylinder availability, prompting households to seek electric cooking alternatives. Induction cooktops, seen as an immediate and convenient substitute, disappeared from shelves as demand spiked over recent days. Santosh Taori, an electronics dealer, noted the pace of stock depletion was unprecedented. "Even at our stores, the stock is depleting as we speak. The demand surged nearly 25 times compared to normal days," he said. Taori added that the trend is not limited to Nagpur but is being witnessed nationwide. "Even our bulk suppliers are seeing very high demand. Fresh consignments are also getting booked quickly," he explained. The buying pattern also shifted, with customers purchasing multiple units. "People are coming in and buying one for current use and sometimes another as a backup. Many households are treating it as a safety measure until the LPG supply situation normalizes," Taori said. Shop owners reported continuous customer inquiries but limited stock. A resident of Mahal, Ashok Deo, shared that even on major e-commerce platforms, most induction cooktops were out of stock.#nagpur #the_times_of_india #santosh_taori #mahal #ashok_deo
