Patna, March 13 (NationPress) A significant interruption in the supply of LPG cylinders has caused widespread anxiety among consumers in Patna and various other districts in Bihar, impacting both households and the hospitality industry.

Residents attribute this crisis to ongoing conflicts in Iran, resulting in shortages and extensive queues at gas stations throughout the state.

The hospitality sector has been particularly affected, with reports indicating that the availability of commercial LPG cylinders has nearly ceased in multiple locations. Patna, for instance, typically requires between 4,000 to 5,000 commercial cylinders each day, but restaurant operators report no new deliveries in recent days.

Consequently, numerous eateries have either temporarily closed their doors or significantly reduced their menus.

Rohit Kumar, a restaurant proprietor in Patliputra Colony, stated that his restaurant used to offer a wide array of chicken, mutton, and biryani dishes. However, due to the commercial cylinder shortage, he has been compelled to limit his offerings to primarily biryani in an effort to conserve gas.

“We’ve had to eliminate items that require prolonged cooking, such as slow-cooked gravies, samosas, and others. The reduction in menu choices has led to fewer customers, resulting in a sharp decline in our revenue,” he explained.

A comparable situation is unfolding in confectionery shops and smaller eateries. The owner of Sai Sweets in Danapur mentioned that he has ceased making snacks like samosas, kachoris, chowmein, and chaat due to the gas scarcity.

“Currently, we are relying solely on our sweet sales. If the supply does not improve in the next couple of days, we might have to close down,” he warned.

In response to rising complaints, a domestic LPG consumer from the Digha locality lodged a grievance against a delivery person from M/s Utsav Gas Seva in Indrapuri, claiming that despite ordering a cylinder, the delivery never occurred, even when records indicated it was delivered.

Following this complaint, Patliputra Police Station filed an FIR against delivery personnel Mukesh on Thursday, marking what is reported to be the first such FIR in the area concerning alleged LPG supply irregularities.

Patna District Magistrate Tyagarajan S. M. stated that the administration is vigilantly monitoring the situation and has intensified efforts to combat black marketing and hoarding.

“We have established 28 enforcement squads at the block level to carry out inspections and respond to consumer complaints. We will ensure that LPG consumers do not encounter difficulties. Regular inspections and raids are being conducted at gas agencies and distribution points,” the DM said.

Residents throughout Patna district are expressing considerable challenges in acquiring cylinders.

Neeraj Kumar, a local resident, mentioned that repeated attempts to contact distributors often lead to unanswered calls, or consumers are informed that the booking server is down. Another resident, Rajiv Kumar Pandey, reported returning empty-handed from the Vaishali Gas Agency in Saguna Mor after being asked to wait for a new supply.

Sarvoday Nath, a resident of RK Puram in Danapur, claimed that local gas agencies have not received new stock for the last four days.

However, officials from the Indian Oil Corporation have denied any actual shortage of LPG cylinders, asserting that the situation is primarily driven by panic buying and misinformation.

This confusion has extended beyond Patna to districts including Buxar, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Sheohar, and Bhojpur, where similar scenes of long queues and anxious consumers have been observed.

In Buxar, residents were seen waiting in long lines outside gas agencies for hours, with many leaving without cylinders.

The situation has also raised alarms at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), which prepares meals for 1,600-1,700 patients and staff under the Jeevika initiative.

In Muzaffarpur, over two dozen residents arrived at the District Collectorate carrying empty cylinders, demanding a meeting with the District Magistrate regarding the shortage.

Tensions heightened in Sheohar when a man reportedly threatened suicide after standing in a long queue without receiving a cylinder, with around 400 individuals reportedly waiting at a single agency.

Authorities continue to assert that there is no genuine LPG shortage, but panic buying, rumors, and localized supply interruptions have created a near-crisis situation in several districts.

The state administration has called on citizens to refrain from panic and hoarding while continuing enforcement actions against black marketing and distribution irregularities.