Patna: Residents in parts of Patna blocked a national highway on Tuesday after mounting frustration over delayed LPG cylinder deliveries spilled onto the streets, highlighting persistent gaps in the city’s distribution system.
The protest took place in Phulwari Sharif, near Nawada Mor Kali Temple close to AIIMS, where large numbers of consumers gathered with empty cylinders and staged a sit-in on National Highway-98/139. The blockade brought traffic to a standstill, with long queues of vehicles forming on both sides and commuters facing significant delays.
Many of those protesting said they had received confirmation messages for their LPG bookings but were repeatedly denied delivery when their turn arrived. Some claimed they had been waiting in queues since early morning outside gas agencies, only to return empty-handed. Visits to agency warehouses, they added, yielded little clarity or assurance.
Residents described the disruption as a recurring issue rather than an isolated incident, alleging that supply delays and mismanagement have become routine. “Even after our turn comes, we don’t get the cylinder,” one protester said, reflecting a widely shared grievance among those gathered.
Local police were deployed to the scene after the road was blocked, attempting to disperse the crowd and restore traffic movement. While officers sought to calm tensions, protesters remained firm, demanding immediate improvements to the distribution system.
The incident underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring timely LPG supply in parts of Bihar, despite repeated assurances from authorities. Protesters have called on the administration to streamline delivery mechanisms, warning that continued delays risk further unrest.
