LPG consumes stand in a queue outside the office of a gas agency with the hope of getting refills.
MARGAO
For perhaps the first time since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, fears of a shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders appear to have reached Goa, with consumers rushing to dealers in Margao in an attempt to secure refills.
Long queues of anxious customers were witnessed at the office of an LPG dealership in Margao from Wednesday onwards. Several consumers were seen arriving with their empty cylinders, hoping to obtain immediate refills amid uncertainty over supply.
Inquiries revealed that many of these consumers had already booked their refills through the regular system. However, worried about possible delays, they chose to visit the dealer’s office personally to check on the availability of cylinders and the status of their bookings.
The rush comes against the backdrop of global concerns over energy supplies following the escalation of tensions in West Asia, a region that plays a critical role in the global energy market. Speaking to the media, the proprietor of the Margao-based LPG agency said that the dealership is currently distributing cylinders based strictly on the arrival of fresh stock.
“We are effecting deliveries depending on the stock we receive. Those who have already booked their refills will get their cylinders based on availability,” the proprietor said.
He also disclosed that the delivery of commercial LPG cylinders has been temporarily halted following a circular issued to LPG agencies. The circular reportedly directs dealers to suspend commercial cylinder distribution until further instructions.
The situation has led to heightened concern among consumers, though there has been no official confirmation from authorities about any widespread shortage of domestic LPG supplies in the state.
Consumers have been urged to avoid panic and rely on the regular booking system, while dealers maintain that supplies will continue to be distributed as and when stocks arrive.
