Ludhiana Residents Grapple with LPG Cylinder Delivery Delays and eKYC Verification Woes
In Ludhiana, a growing crisis is unfolding as residents across various city neighborhoods report significant hardships stemming from delayed LPG cylinder deliveries and complications in completing mandatory eKYC formalities. Despite official statements asserting no shortage in LPG supply, the ground reality paints a starkly different picture, leaving many households struggling to manage daily cooking and essential tasks.
Prolonged Waiting Periods and Inconvenience for Consumers
Numerous consumers have detailed their frustrating experiences, noting that even after successfully booking cylinders and receiving delivery authentication code (DAC) messages on their mobile phones, they are forced to wait for several days without receiving their cylinders. This situation has compelled individuals to make repeated visits to gas agencies, often standing in long, time-consuming queues.
Mukesh, a resident of Rajiv Gandhi Colony in the Focal Point area, shared his ordeal: "I had to take time off from work just to follow up on my LPG booking. Even after receiving confirmation, the cylinder has not been delivered. I have been waiting for over 10 days. On one hand, there is the stress of work, and now cylinder unavailability has become another tension."
Nanni Bai, a Shimlapuri resident, highlighted the domestic impact: "We cannot cook properly without LPG. It has been many days, and we are somehow managing with great difficulty, making household work nearly impossible."
Unresponsive Delivery Staff and Communication Breakdown
Adding to the frustration, residents have complained that delivery staff are not responding to their calls, leaving them in the dark about the status of their orders. Karandev Singh, an Urban Estate resident, received his DAC message more than 10 days ago but has yet to receive his cylinder.
He expressed his dismay: "The delivery has been pending for days. The delivery personnel are not answering calls, and I have no option but to visit the agency myself. This is extremely inconvenient." Singh also questioned the discrepancy between official claims and actual supply, raising concerns about potential mismanagement or underlying issues.
Indu, a 71-year-old resident of CMC Chowk, recounted her experience: "While earlier the delivery boys always picked up calls, the situation is different now as they are not attending calls at all. So we had no choice but to come here to check what the issue was with our cylinder delivery." She visited an agency on Chandigarh Road with her 73-year-old husband, underscoring the challenges faced by elderly citizens.
eKYC Verification Challenges Exacerbate the Crisis
The situation has been further worsened by difficulties in completing eKYC verification, which is now mandatory for many LPG consumers. Due to limited online functionality and technical glitches, a large number of people are being forced to visit gas agencies in person. Elderly citizens and women are among the worst affected, as they have to join queues and wait to complete the verification process.
Geeta, who recently visited a gas agency on Samrala Chowk for eKYC, described the chaotic scene: "There are long lines everywhere. It is very difficult, especially for senior citizens. The entire process has become very stressful."
Calls for Better Monitoring and Accountability
In response to these ongoing issues, consumers have called for better monitoring of gas agencies to ensure timely delivery of cylinders and to prevent any malpractice, including black marketing. The collective distress highlights a pressing need for authorities to address the gaps between policy implementation and real-world execution, ensuring that essential services like LPG supply remain reliable and accessible for all residents in Ludhiana.
