LPG flame still dim, delivery delays stretched to 20-30 days Nagpur: Despite repeated claims by the government and oil marketing companies (OMCs) that LPG supply is normalizing, residents and businesses across the city continue to face severe shortages of cylinders, with delivery delays extending to 20-30 days after booking. Consumers report that the situation has worsened over the past weeks, disrupting household routines and commercial operations. Many residents said they had to wait an additional 20-30 days beyond the mandatory 25-day gap between bookings, pushing the total waiting period to nearly 50 days. Some consumers noted that their bookings were canceled without delivery, while others received messages indicating cylinders were "delivered" despite not receiving them. This confusion has deepened frustration among those already struggling with limited availability. The crisis, which began in early March due to the West Asia conflict, initially caused long queues outside gas agencies. While the situation has marginally improved, several areas in the city still report supply shortages and sporadic long lines. Officials from the district administration admitted that supply has not yet returned to pre-crisis levels. Before the disruption, Nagpur received approximately 33,000 domestic cylinders and 1,200 commercial cylinders daily. Currently, domestic supply fluctuates between 18,000 and 25,000 cylinders, while commercial supply has plummeted to just 120 cylinders per day. A senior official from the Collectorate stated that during a recent review meeting, the newly appointed district collector issued strict instructions to gas agencies and companies to ensure citizens are not further affected.#nagpur #west_asia #lpg_dealers_association_of_india #mahendra_gavai #bablu_tiwari
Online booking chaos: LPG dealers demand ESMA action against oil companies LPG dealers in Nagpur have called for legal action against oil companies under the Emergency Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) for failing to ensure their online booking systems operate 24/7, leading to widespread consumer frustration. The Maharashtra chapter of the LPG Dealers Association of India (LDAI) has raised concerns about the safety of their staff, who are now working extended hours under pressure from irate customers. Bablu Tiwari, state president of the LDAI, emphasized that ESMA mandates uninterrupted service, stating, “ESMA means you cannot stop the service under any condition. If dealers fear for their lives and lock their godowns, the police will be at their doorstep.” The issue stems from oil companies’ inability to maintain functional online booking portals, resulting in delayed or failed OTP deliveries. Mahendra Gavai, owner of a gas agency with over 50,000 registered customers, criticized the lack of IT infrastructure upgrades, noting, “The OTP delivery problem has persisted for a long time. Many consumers have complained, yet the system remains sluggish.” He argued that reliance on outdated technology is exacerbating the crisis, comparing it to the efficiency of Mumbai’s dabbawalas, who deliver food without digital systems. The malfunctioning platform has forced delivery staff to work 14-hour shifts instead of the standard eight, with employees required to punch authentication codes for deliveries on the same day. Gavai explained, “With the portal often unresponsive, staff are working late into the night to complete tasks. Additionally, we have only a three-hour window to place orders for loads, or they get delayed to the next day.#nagpur #lpg_dealers_association_of_india #esma #mahendra_gavai #bablu_tiwari
