LPG crisis in Bengaluru: Helplines unreachable, apps fail as cylinder bookings surge in the city

Bengaluru faces an LPG crisis as booking systems crash amid soaring demand, leaving consumers frustrated and uncertain about deliveries.

Amid the continuing disruption in commercial LPG supply due to tensions in the West Asia, domestic consumers have begun reporting difficulties in booking cylinders, with several users complaining of technical glitches and misleading confirmation messages from booking platforms. 

Consumers said that since the shortage affecting commercial cylinders began, booking domestic LPG cylinders has become increasingly difficult. Many consumers attempting to place orders said they were either unable to access the booking systems or received automated messages that did not match the actual status of their orders. 

However, distributors maintained that the supply of domestic LPG cylinders continues as usual, but the rush of consumers attempting to book them has created a glitch. As a result, the pendency of orders has increased, affecting delivery timelines. 

According to users, the situation has worsened specifically over the last two days. While booking services, consumers say, briefly appeared to function when the commercial supply crisis first surfaced, the systems have now become largely inaccessible. Consumers attempting to book cylinders through mobile applications, official websites, IVRS helplines and WhatsApp channels said the platforms were either unresponsive or repeatedly failed during the process. Many also reported that helpline numbers were unreachable. 

Some consumers said they received confirmation messages stating that their cylinders had been delivered even though no delivery had taken place. Gargi Shinde, a resident of Gandhinagar, said that after several failed attempts to place an order, she received a message the following day stating that the cylinder had been successfully delivered. However, she said no delivery was made to her household. 

Others faced restrictions while attempting to place a booking. Mohammed Tarzeem, a resident of Benson Town, said that when he tried to book through the mobile application, the system showed a message stating that he was not eligible to place another order because a cylinder had already been delivered in the previous two weeks.