Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Aug 12: Residents of the headquarter region of the North and Middle Andaman district continue to endure chaos over shortage and erratic distribution of LPG refills. While the central distribution point at Mayabunder Jetty has been shut down for abrupt reasons, supply of LPG cylinders once in 45 days leads to frequent brawls among consumers in various parts of the region. A storm is in the making after authorities failed to accede to demands for a large vehicle and timely supply of LPG cylinders in the area, according to sources.
“Mayabunder has been long hit due to delay and irregular supply of LPG cylinders. In recent months, several instances of spats between consumers and the distribution staff have been reported from some parts of Mayabunder and adjoining. The distributing vehicles have also been halted by agitated consumers on some occasions to collect the refills. Earlier, the distribution Centre near the Jetty here used to deliver refills to the consumers timely without causing any inconvenience. But for unknown reasons, the Centre was closed and consumers are now forced to wait for days for the distribution vehicles to arrive to obtain their refills,” said some irate residents.
The LPG delivery services have become so unreliable that consumers are forced to depend on firewood to keep their kitchen fire burning. Several residents can be seen venturing into forest to collect firewood for cooking. Supplies are often delayed by two months forcing consumers to face countless miseries. Repeated pleas for a larger vehicle for supply of LPG Cylinder in Mayabunder had no positive outcome and residents continue to reel under shortage of LPG cylinders. Anger among consumers is gradually reaching its peak and a massive outburst is likely if the authorities don’t accede to the demands.
The Consumer Cooperative Society should immediately jump into action and employ a larger vehicle for distribution of LPG Cylinders in Mayabunder and adjoining areas. Supply should be ensured atleast twice in 30 days for the benefit of the residents and efforts should also be made to revive the Central Distribution Point at the Jetty region.
