Patna: A shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders has triggered widespread disruption across the state of Bihar, with residents protesting, queuing for hours and struggling to cook meals at home. The crisis became particularly visible in Patna, where angry residents blocked a road after finding a local gas agency closed when they arrived to collect their cylinders.
According to local reports, dozens of people had gathered outside the agency to obtain LPG cylinders, only to discover the office locked. Frustrated residents sat in the middle of the road with their cylinders, bringing traffic to a standstill. Vehicles soon formed long lines as the blockade disrupted movement across the area.
Police from Pirbahore Police Station arrived at the scene after receiving information about the protest. Officers attempted to calm the crowd and eventually persuaded residents to remove the blockade after extended discussions. Protesters said they had been unable to obtain gas for several days, making it difficult to cook food at home.
The shortage is not limited to Patna. In Kishanganj, residents have reported queues stretching nearly 500 metres outside gas agencies as people wait for cylinders. Many consumers said they had tried booking LPG refills for two days but repeatedly encountered server failures, worsening the situation.
Conditions are also tense in Darbhanga, where people have begun lining up outside agencies as early as 6am. Limited supplies have reportedly led to pushing and scuffles among customers competing to obtain cylinders.
Authorities in Motihari have also taken action against illegal refilling. During a raid, officials arrested a grocery shop owner accused of illegally refilling LPG cylinders. Police said they seized three empty cylinders, one filled cylinder, four nozzles and 11 small regulators from the shop.
Meanwhile, in Khagaria, police have begun supervising cylinder distribution in an attempt to maintain order. Residents in Jamui said many women have been forced to wait up to eight hours in queues without success, leaving households struggling to prepare daily meals.
The shortage is also affecting local markets. As LPG becomes harder to obtain, many households have turned to traditional fuels such as wood and coal. Their sudden surge in demand has pushed prices sharply higher, while some shops have reportedly raised the price of induction cooktops to nearly five times their usual cost.
