The residents of Pantnagar are angry over erratic supply of cooking gas cylinders for the past many days. Despite standing in queue for hours, the gas cylinder remains elusive to the residents. “We are in deep trouble, for there is no alternative source of fuel for us,” said one of the aggrieved consumers.
The cooking gas cylinders are being supplied door to door to around nine thousand consumers from the Indian Oil Corporation depot through the contractors in several localities. For the past around ten days, the consumers are not getting the cylinders. The angry consumers are daily found arguing with those engaged in the supply of the gas cylinders. “We are having a tough time. It is proving difficult for us to cook in the dearth of an alternative means of fuel. One consumer from Nagla said they have not been receiving cylinder for the past 15 days. The director of Pantnagar gas agency R B Mehra said the supply is erratic because of the Kartik Purnima. The mela being organised on the occasion is coming in the way of supply. It would take two/three days to restore normalcy, he said.
Those engaged in the distribution of the cylinders said the consumers blocking vehicles on roads is disrupting door-to- door supply. They sought cooperation from the consumers to ensure smooth distribution of gas cylinders.
However, many of the consumers said they are being inconvenienced due to the online booking process. They said they had to send messages repeatedly to have cylinders booked. Yet, the booking gets cancelled two days after the booking is done without the cylinders reaching the consumers.
But those working with the distribution agency said the online booking system is functioning satisfactorily. Despite the cancellation message, the consumers would get their booked cylinders on time, they assured.