In Old Delhi, anxiety rising as LPG cylinder queues grow, cops out at gas agencies

NEW DELHI: There was chaos across several parts of the city on Friday, particularly Old Delhi and adjoining areas, as residents scrambled for LPG cylinders. With tensions running high, police had to be deployed outside a few gas agencies.

TOI witnessed long queues and frayed tempers for domestic-use cylinders outside an LPG agency office at Delhi Gate. Many said online booking servers were down and calls were not being picked up.




Radha Rani, 60, from Ajmeri Gate stood in line clutching her grandson, saying she'd returned empty-handed on three days. "My three sons work. My daughter-in-law had a baby 15 days ago, and I have been coming here three days in a row," she said, adding that the agency claims supply runs out by the time her number comes up.

Area residents said cylinders were earlier delivered home. Now, they had to queue up outside agency offices and godowns, often forcing them to leave work. Police personnel, including three male officers and a woman constable, were present during peak crowding between 10.30am and noon.

Soon after, however, distributors allegedly pulled down shutters.

Another person seeking a domestic cylinder, Jugal Kishore (56), said, "I am a government servant. My son called to say they were demanding KYC for me, so I had to leave work and come here. They have never asked for this before." Others alleged that online booking servers had been blocked. One man dialled the agency number listed on the website and held up his phone to show TOI how the call was disconnected after just two rings.

Among those making repeated trips to the Delhi Gate agency was Naved, 37. "For five days I have been coming here just to get a receipt," he said. "A tea seller near the shop where I work in Chawri Bazar told me he got a cylinder in black for Rs 3,000. We are trying to get one for our homes but haven't succeeded." Outside the godown, about 1km away, several residents held up receipts and alleged that suppliers were selling cylinders in the black market to restaurant owners while locking the gates here.

Pasreena Khatoon (50) from Delhi Gate broke down while recounting her ordeal. "I have been trying to get a cylinder for eight days. Today I came at noon and they kept sending me from one place to another. My son and husband are no more. I bring my daughter with me every day," she said. Clutching their slips and showing messages received for online bookings, several people feared the dates allotted to them might become invalid since they were asked to return the next day.

With reports of hoarding along with a spike in induction stove prices at local shops and stocks running dry at larger stores and online platforms, anxiety and anger among residents deepened. "I have four hungry children at home," said Feroz, 40, from Daryaganj. "Many local dhabas are saying they won't send food. What should I tell my wife and kids?"

Distribution in some areas, however, appeared relatively stable. In south Delhi's Lajpat Nagar IV and Greater Kailash II, operations seemed largely normal with fewer people present, though locals in Lajpat Nagar said footfall was higher than usual. At Gole Market in central Delhi, minor crowding was seen, with people standing in queues. However, for many residents of Old Delhi, they are left with little choice but to return to the queues again tomorrow.