LPG strike in Mumbai threatens to douse kitchen fires

If your cooking gas is over, you may have to order food from out for the next 15-20 days.

The LPG distribution services in Mumbai have been hit by the strike of loaders at the refineries. The delay in transportation has only compounded the matter.

With such a backlog, households and even hoteliers in the city are finding it difficult to get their cylinder delivery on time. The waiting period in most parts of the city is as long as 15-20 days.

Pratap Doshi, president of All India LPG Distribution Federation, said, “There are several complaints about delays from consumers. The loaders have struck work over wage-related issues for the last five days. Since it is an unorganised sector, it is very difficult to get them to work. Though they claim that they have called off the strike on Wednesday, there are no assurances.”

City firms have tried to take help from the plants in Uran and other places, but it is not boosting the supply much, said Doshi.

According to Doshi, the loaders will be meeting representatives from the labour ministry in the next couple of days. “Even if they resume work from Thursday, it will take at least 10-12 days to clear the back log,” added Doshi. Around 26 lakh gas cylinders are delivered to the city every month.

Nishita Patel, a housewife from Mulund, said, “The gas agency in our locality asked us to wait for at least 15 days for delivery. When we tried getting the cylinder directly from the godown, we were told they have run out of supply, too. We are now forced to order even tea and breakfast from restaurants.”