Over 36,000 applications for new gas connections still pending

BENGALURU: Thousands of people, who have applied for new gas connections, are still suffering as they are yet to be allotted to them. New gas connections were put on hold due to the LPG shortage caused because of Middle East war, but fresh registrations have not yet started, making life difficult for many.

The number of customers waiting after applying for new gas connection is increasing day by day and already as many as 36,069 applications are pending in Karnataka. Thousands of people who have applied for new connection in various agencies including Indane, HP Gas, Bharat Gas are still waiting.

It is said 20-30 people are giving requests daily to each agency. Families who have come and settled in Bengaluru from other districts are also facing trouble in getting new connections. Due to not getting domestic cylinder some are facing the situation of having to use commercial cylinders, but they are expensive.

Customers are saying it is difficult for families who live doing daily wage, small jobs to spend thousands rupees extra. “Thousands of people migrate from other parts of the state to Bengaluru. The government has failed to provide them with LPG connections. The food and civil supplies department should immediately speed up the process and provide new gas connections”, said Arun Paramesh, an activist.

“The distributors of state-run petroleum companies have not been giving new connections for the last 6-7 months. Gas cylinders provided by private companies are very costly as they cost at least Rs 2,500 for a small one. It has become very difficult without LPG connections”, said Devanna, who has been waiting for a new LPG connection.

On the one hand, there is the problem of LPG supply while on other hand, thousands of applications are pending for new connection. Due to this, it is double trouble has come for customers. Even after applying there is no clarity when connection will be available. So, customers have demanded to dispose pending applications as soon as possible and give new domestic LPG connections.