Delhi Residents Encounter Hurdles in LPG Cylinder Bookings
On Wednesday morning, Vishal, a resident of Rohini, was part of a small group of five to six Indane customers who visited a local gas agency to book a cooking cylinder. Their attempts to complete the formalities online or over the phone had failed, leading them to seek in-person assistance.
System Glitches and Customer Complaints
At the gas agency in Rohini sector 3, a worker advised customers to persist with the app, suggesting that bookings might succeed after some time. The worker mentioned a mandatory 25-day gap from the last delivery and speculated that issues could be linked to broader disruptions, possibly referencing external factors like conflicts, though not explicitly confirmed.
TOI's visits to multiple outlets across the capital revealed numerous complaints about booking-related problems. Vishal expressed frustration, stating, "I have been calling up and I keep hearing 'invalid number' when we try to book by phone. When we come here, they ask us to keep trying. This response is not at all helpful."
Agency Responses and Customer Concerns
Another IndianOil agency in Rohini attributed the difficulties to server issues. A staff member explained that the booking system was affected and might take a day or two to resolve. This delay heightened anxiety among customers, many of whom were seeking to secure a spare cylinder amid fears of potential shortages.
A woman customer, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared her experience of unsuccessful attempts to book via WhatsApp while waiting outside the agency. Customers in queues reported that deliveries were delayed even after bookings were confirmed, adding to their distress.
Dealers Reassure on Supply Stability
Despite the booking challenges, dealers maintained that there is no shortage of cooking gas cylinders for domestic customers. They emphasized that the supply from major oil marketing companies, including IndianOil, BPCL, and HPCL, remains normal and uninterrupted.
The situation highlights a disconnect between operational systems and customer access, with residents urged to continue trying digital methods while agencies work to resolve the technical glitches.
