In a significant enforcement action, Vadodara Gas Ltd (VGL) has concluded a two-day intensive drive to recover outstanding dues from consumers in the historic walled city area. The operation, conducted under tight police security due to the sensitivity of the locations, resulted in substantial recoveries and disconnections.
Massive Recovery and Disconnection Drive
The crackdown, which commenced on Tuesday, saw dedicated VGL teams fan out across the old city neighborhoods. On the first day of the drive, officials managed to collect over Rs 6.89 lakh in pending payments. Simultaneously, they were forced to sever the gas supply to 61 households whose cumulative unpaid bills had ballooned to more than Rs 62.25 lakh.
Second Day Sees Continued Action
Undeterred, the teams returned on Wednesday to ramp up the pressure. Their visits targeted 104 more homes with long-overdue bills. This second day proved even more fruitful in terms of immediate cash recovery, with the company securing over Rs 10.04 lakh. However, with many consumers still failing to clear their debts, another 61 gas connections were disconnected. The dues for this second batch of disconnected households amounted to Rs 30.13 lakh, as confirmed by VGL officials.
Total Impact and Official Stance
Combining the figures from both days, the drive had a considerable impact. Vadodara Gas Ltd successfully recovered a total of more than Rs 16.93 lakh in direct payments. Furthermore, they cut off supply to a total of 122 defaulting connections, which together owed a staggering sum exceeding Rs 92.38 lakh in unpaid dues.
The necessity for police presence highlights the challenging nature of conducting such operations in densely populated and sensitive urban zones. The company's firm action sends a clear message about the consequences of non-payment for utility services. It underscores VGL's commitment to recovering outstanding revenues, which are crucial for maintaining and upgrading the city's piped gas infrastructure for all consumers.
