LPG Crisis Shows Signs of Easing in Goa Following Government Intervention
Panaji: The immediate crisis surrounding Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution in Goa has shown measurable improvement following direct government intervention last week. The visible queues outside LPG dealers have dissipated, and booking numbers have registered a significant decline of approximately 10-15% across the state. However, this statistical improvement has done little to quell the deep-seated anxiety among consumers regarding the consistent availability of domestic cooking gas.
Dealers Report Significant Drop in Daily Bookings
Data from multiple gas agencies confirms the downward trend in demand. An LPG dealer operating in the Dona Paula area reported that daily bookings have stabilized at around 300, a sharp decrease from the 400 to 500 requests processed daily just last week. To manage the existing backlog and improve service, the agency has increased its delivery fleet from two to three vehicles.
This pattern is echoed in other regions. Uttam Gauns, secretary at the Shri Navadurga Gas Agency in Bicholim, stated that current bookings have plummeted to 50-60 per day, compared to a staggering 150 per day previously. Similarly, Gauresh Kundalkar, manager of Shree Mahalasa Gas Agency in Ponchwadi, Ponda, noted that while bookings have halved from 300 to 150 daily, the agency continues to operate three delivery vehicles to ensure timely distribution.
Persistent Consumer Anxiety and Operational Challenges
Despite the reduction in formal bookings, a climate of uncertainty prevails. Dealers report being inundated with confirmation calls from anxious customers. "It is increasingly difficult to pacify them," admitted Kundalkar, highlighting the gap between improved statistics and public perception.
A dealer from St Inez revealed that while bookings have decreased, the agency strives to complete deliveries within four to five days to prevent consumers from gathering at their office. The situation has placed unusual pressure on delivery personnel. In one reported incident, a consumer physically halted a delivery van, alleging non-receipt of his cylinder.
Policy Concerns and Public Sentiment
The crisis has sparked questions about existing LPG policies. Janardhan Chodankar of Kadesh Gas Service in Pilar indicated that consumers are inquiring if the mandatory 25-day window between refill bookings will be shortened to improve access.
Public frustration is palpable. RM Pillai, a domestic consumer from Merces, articulated a common grievance: "When the government repeatedly asserts there is no shortage, but a gas cylinder is not delivered within eight days, people are bound to get worried." This sentiment underscores that while the immediate logistical pressure may have eased, restoring complete public confidence in the LPG supply chain remains an unresolved challenge for authorities in Goa.
