The sudden suspension of a gas agency in Nagpur’s Nara area has left nearly 14,000 LPG consumers grappling with severe inconvenience, triggering confusion and widespread distress over access to essential cooking fuel.
Following the suspension of the agency’s licence by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), consumers have been reassigned to outlets in Gittikhadan and Ramdaspeth—both located about 10 km away. The shift has created significant difficulties, especially for senior citizens, daily wage earners, and economically weaker families.The situation has been worsened by poor communication and lack of coordination. Many residents have been seen moving from one agency to another in search of clarity, often returning empty-handed after waiting for hours in long queues under intense heat.
Food Distribution Officer Vinod Kale stated that the agency had been struggling with operational issues for some time. “The owner was absent, and operations were being handled by a manager. Consumers were already facing problems. Eventually, staff expressed their inability to continue, leading to the suspension,” he said, adding that HPCL has been instructed to enhance supply at the reassigned centres.However, the ground reality remains far from stable.Consumer rights activist Nitin Solanki of the Grahak Dakshata Kalyan Foundation criticised the authorities, calling the situation “a complete collapse of planning and support.”
“People don’t even know which agency they are now linked to. There is no proper system in place. Earlier irregularities had already disrupted services, and this sudden shift has pushed things into chaos,” he said.
He also cautioned that transferring such a large consumer base to just two agencies could lead to acute supply shortages and warned of possible protests if immediate corrective measures are not taken.A retired railway official assisting residents highlighted the challenges faced by many. “A large number of consumers are not tech-savvy. They cannot use mobile apps or online booking systems. Even those trying to help are overwhelmed,” he noted.Scenes of distress continue outside the shuttered agency, where residents gather daily hoping for relief.
“There was a one-time distribution by the Gittikhadan agency on Thursday, but when people returned the next day, they were sent back without cylinders,” he added.With inadequate planning, poor communication, and limited supply, thousands of residents are enduring avoidable hardship, raising serious concerns about accountability and crisis management.
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