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Rumors of an LPG shortage in Delhi have triggered widespread panic. People are hoarding gas, black marketing has surged, and migrant workers are returning to their villages. The government has given assurances that adequate supplies are available.
LPG Panic in Delhi Sparks Chaos (Image Source: Internet)
New Delhi: Fear and panic have spread among the public in Delhi following reports of an LPG gas shortage. Although the government and oil companies have repeatedly asserted that there is no scarcity of gas, people remain unconvinced. Consequently, an atmosphere of chaos and confusion has taken hold of the city, reports Dynamite News correspondent.
The impact has been felt most acutely by the poor and migrant laborers. Those who work as domestic help or engage in petty roadside trades have now begun returning to their native villages. They fear that if the situation deteriorates further or if a lockdown is imposed, they will face severe difficulties even in securing food and basic necessities.
While some individuals remain in the city, they too are caught in a dilemma—unsure whether to stay put or head back home.
Driven by panic, the demand for gas cylinders has surged suddenly. This has, in turn, triggered black marketing. While the standard price for a regular cylinder is approximately ₹913, it is currently being sold on the black market for as much as ₹4,000.
Out of fear, people are booking more cylinders than usual, placing immense pressure on the existing supply chain.
Long queues have formed outside gas agencies and petrol pumps across the city. Many people are now facing delays of up to 25–30 days to receive their cylinders. This situation is also adversely affecting the income of daily wage earners, as they are forced to spend hours standing in queues.
Rumors regarding a potential lockdown and the depletion of gas stocks are spreading rapidly across social media platforms. It is these very rumors that are fueling public panic and driving people to hoard gas cylinders beyond their actual requirements.
Officials have categorically stated that the country possesses sufficient gas reserves to last for several months and have urged the public not to pay heed to baseless rumors.
The Delhi Police have initiated strict measures to combat black marketing and the hoarding of gas cylinders. In a recent operation, authorities raided a gas agency and seized 459 cylinders. It is alleged that these cylinders were deliberately hoarded so that they could be sold later at inflated prices.
Many people are distressed due to the failure to receive gas on time. Some families even faced difficulties cooking meals during the festive season. Meanwhile, tenants are unable to secure PNG connections because their landlords are unwilling to bear the associated costs.
If rumors continue to spread in this manner, the situation could deteriorate further. However, the government is continuously providing assurances that supplies are normal and that the situation will stabilize soon.
