Despite government assurances of adequate supply, food cart owners and households in Delhi report long delays and rising costs in procuring cooking gas cylinders. Md. Rehmat Ali, a biryani shop owner in Chittaranjan Park, said his supplier last delivered on February 28 and has been unresponsive since. Officials stated the situation is under control and launched a control room against black marketing.
In Chittaranjan Park’s bustling market, Md. Rehmat Ali, who runs a biryani shop, told The Hindu that his supplier last delivered three cylinders on February 28. “My supplier last took my call on February 28 and delivered three cylinders. Since then, there has been total silence,” he said. Relying on remaining stock, Mr. Ali fears closure. “We prepare many biryanis every day for the shop and private parties. Once this lot is over, I won’t be able to run my shop,” he added, noting even black market suppliers are unresponsive.
The Delhi government said on Friday that the cooking gas situation in the city is under control. Additional Commissioner of the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Arun Kumar Jha, addressed a press conference, stating daily LPG domestic bookings have declined from a peak of over 2 lakh per day in March to around 1.1 lakh on April 1. Since the start of the West Asia conflict, new PNG connections have risen from 684 per day in February to 2,000-2,500 per day in March.
“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 assured action on verified complaints with informant confidentiality.
