Tech-glitch on online LPG booking site forces residents to rush to gas agencies

Bhopal: Citizens in Bhopal rushed to local gas agencies on Saturday morning after technical glitch crippled the online booking system for LPG cylinders, leaving families without access to essential cooking fuel. Glitch was rectified by the evening but several people by that took gas cylinders from different gas agencies. The issue surfaced around 8 AM, coinciding with the monthly booking window for households relying on different services. Users reported repeated errors in online bookings. "I tried booking since 7:30 AM through phone, but it was not connecting. By 11 AM, I had no choice but to go straight to the agency," said Hari Singh, a resident of Arera Colony.Several people were spotted in MP Nagar, Bittan Market, and TT Nagar as many sought manual bookings. "Elderly people and homemakers are suffering the most as they relied online bookings from their homes," fumed Geeta Malik, a teacher from Neelbad Road."Tomorrow is Sunday, and the agency will be shut. With just one connection at home, we could run out anytime—refilling today was crucial," said local resident Ashok Saxena. The scramble underscores ongoing challenges with limited household connections and weekend disruptions in LPG supply, leaving many anxious about cooking needs.When contacted, gas agency in BHEL area said that there were queries in the first half of the day. "People were querying after they were not able to book in the morning. However, queries quietened by the evening after online bookings started again," said an agency staffer without quoting his name. Govindpura Congress members, led by labour leader Deepak Gupta, staged a protest rally in Barkheda Pathani against the Rs 60 LPG cylinder price increase. Former minister P.C. Sharma joined the protest rally who raised slogans demanding an immediate rollback.