Ramla Karim, a homemaker at Karamana in the State capital, is a trifle anxious. She has only one functional domestic LPG cylinder; her other is exhausted and she has no clue when she will get a refill, though a message she received promised delivery in six days. “We booked a refill five days ago and are still awaiting delivery. We are planning to get an induction cooktop since we do not know when we will get a refill or how things will be moving forward.”
Ajay Kumar M., a resident of Vilappil panchayat, says his family of two have been making do with one cylinder since the refill booked 25-odd days ago had not yet been delivered. “Usually, it takes around 10 days after booking to get delivery of a domestic LPG cylinder. This time it has been longer, even though the booking was made before the current crisis. Today too, we were told that the cylinder will be delivered, but we are waiting. We may move to firewood for cooking.”
The impact of the LPG crisis, particularly on the hotel and restaurant sector, has stoked fears of a ripple effect, with domestic LPG customers worried about a possible shortage. Images of consumers queuing up outside agencies with empty cylinders in other States have not helped.
