Panic booking hits supply of LPG cylinders in Kochi

Panic booking by consumers has put extra pressure on LPG distribution system in the city, resulting in additional burden on the supply and distribution chain as agencies struggle to meet urgent needs and those triggered by panic.

Reports of shortage of LPG cylinders following a strike by a section of workers have triggered panic among consumers who have started booking much in advance, according to sources.

Earlier, the plant operations of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), one of the major distributors of LPG, had temporarily been disrupted due to employee agitation and holidays. Meanwhile, the authorities claimed that the plant was running at full capacity, and that there was no shortage.

“Consumers make bookings assuming that there is shortage, and when we deliver cylinders, they do not have empty cylinders to return. Then they have to cancel the bookings. Those with genuine requirements are the worst hit. Panic booking has affected demand and supply,” said an agency staff of Indane at Vyttila, which has around 17,000 consumers.

“We are trying to meet the pending orders by working extra hours and on holidays,” said a source.

S. Padmanabha Mallya, a resident of Amaravathi in Fort Kochi, booked an LPG cylinder on September 30. The 63-year-old said he received an invoice acknowledgment on October 7. “Normally, the cylinder gets delivered in four to five days. But this time there has been a significant delay. It is not just for me, but our neighbourhood is also impacted by this,” said Mr. Mallya, a retired government employee.

The surge in panic bookings has impacted the agencies already working to clear pending orders. “Normally we deliver cylinders the same day or the following day. At present, there are a few pending orders because of holidays and when the plant was shut following an agitation. We are trying to fulfill the pending orders and address the delay in deliveries. In four days’ time, it will be sorted,” the staff said.

Another agency in Thripunithara has also observed a surge in bookings. “Normally, we get 200 to 300 bookings per day. Now, it has gone up by 100. Earlier, there was a delay of eight days in delivering cylinders as the plant operations were affected. But now, we are able to deliver cylinders in five to six days,” said a staff at the agency.

Meanwhile, an IOC official claimed that there was no shortage of cylinders as the plants were running at full capacity.

“Even when the plant was affected before Onam, cylinders were arranged from Tamil Nadu. The present problem is due to panic booking. There is a backlog in supply chain, which is being sorted out. There is no scarcity,” claimed the official.