The acute shortage of LPG cylinders supply has created a crisis for residents of the Virar-Vasai region. Several citizens have informed the ADC that the shortage of gas cylinders has driven them to using kerosene stoves and electric heaters, and that the problems began from the time of the election campaigns. Anand Ingle, senior resident from Samelpada, Vasai, said, “When we require a gas cylinder, we usually place a request via text message to the local agency. The agency confirms the order and replies via a confirmation text. Even after confirmation, the agency deliberately holds back the refilling service for more than 45 days.”
“When we approach the agency three to four weeks after placing the order, the officials there cite cylinder shortage as the reason why they cannot supply the gas to us,” said Ramnath Shinde, a resident of Tuling Road in Nallasopara.Suppliers selling in black Amidst this shortage, some residents like Atul Pawar and Mahendra Jagdale have managed to get their cylinders. When ADC made enquiries, they replied, “We buy it from the agency’s delivery boys in black. For a cylinder that costs around Rs.400, we end up shelling out Rs.800. We are helpless. The workers from the agency state that they can provide cylinders but at double the rate.”
When the ADC contacted a local agency in Vasai, the officials there refused to respond and disconnected the call.
Virar-Vasai amongst the worst hit
Staff of the gas agencies report that, at present, there is a backlog of about 30,000 requests for LPG gas cylinders all over the city.
Officials from the resident deputy district collector’s office disclosed that several gas agencies in the city have registered a backlog of about 10,000 requests for re-filling. Similarly, agencies in Nallasopara and Virar have a waiting list of about 8,000 such requests. If the existing situation prevails, the agencies will be able to supply gas only after 30 days, they pointed out.
Corporator connection?
Residents have reported that in several areas, agencies are asking the complainants to visit the local corporator in order to get recommendation letters to speed up the delivery. Repeated attempts by the ADC to contact Kshitij Thakur (MLA) and Prashant Raut (Corporator) remained futile.