Gas supply under control, PNG uptake growing: govt.

Delhi government reports controlled gas supply as PNG connections rise, launching a control room to combat black marketing and hoarding.

The Delhi government on Friday said the cooking gas situation in the city is under control and the daily LPG domestic bookings have declined from a peak of over 2 lakh per day during March to around 1.1 lakh on April 1.

Addressing a press conference, Additional Commissioner of the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Arun Kumar Jha, said since the start of the West Asia conflict, the number of new PNG (piped natural gas) connections has risen from 684 per day in February to around 2,000-2,500 per day in March, according to official data. “From today, we have started a control room to take action against black marketing and hoarding,” Mr. Jha said. Complaints can be lodged via helpline numbers 011-23379836 and 8383824659. He said the government would act on verified complaints and ensure the confidentiality of informants.

Mr. Jha said that while earlier domestic LPG cylinders were delivered within two to three days of booking, the waiting time has now increased to four to six days “due to the backlog created during the surge in demand in March”. He said the government is encouraging consumers to opt for PNG connections because of better availability compared to LPG in India. “We are requesting people to get a PNG connection wherever possible,” he said.

The official said strict action is being taken against black marketing and hoarding. According to sources, the Delhi police have registered around 27 such cases since March 12. An official said registered LPG consumers are receiving cylinders but those who earlier relied on “informal means” are now facing problems as supply systems have been tightened.

Meanwhile, the Delhi police busted an LPG cylinder hoarding and black marketing racket in the Bawana area, arresting a 50-year-old man, identified as Anil, and seizing 75 cylinders.  At 4 p.m. on Thursday, a pick-up truck was intercepted, leading to the recovery of 27 LPG cylinders.

“The accused failed to produce any valid documents,” an officer said. During interrogation, the accused said more cylinders were stored nearby. Raids at two rooms and an iron shed near a factory led to the recovery of 48 additional cylinders, taking the total seizure to 75.