Ahmedabad: Amid panic booking and technical glitches in regular domestic LPG booking systems, gas agencies are advising consumers to use digital payment apps such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and Amazon Pay to book domestic gas cylinders. With website, WhatsApp, IVRS, and missed-call booking services facing outages due to heavy traffic, third-party payment apps have emerged as the option for refill booking during the ongoing rush.

The situation has been reported in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat, where consumers queued outside gas agencies after online servers of major LPG companies slowed down following a sudden surge in bookings. The spike in demand comes despite a recent ₹60 hike in cylinder prices, as fears of supply disruption due to international tensions triggered panic booking.

Standard booking systems fail due to heavy load

Gas distributors said bookings have doubled compared to normal levels. One gas agency holder said earlier the daily booking used to be around 600, which has now crossed 1,200, causing online networks of major companies such as Indane, HP Gas, and Bharat Gas to slow down temporarily.

Consumers reported that WhatsApp booking, IVRS numbers, and missed-call services were either slow or not responding, forcing many to visit agencies in person.

Agency operators clarified that there is no actual shortage of LPG, but simultaneous booking attempts created a technical overload on the system.

Booking gas cylinder via Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm: Step-by-step process

To avoid long queues, distributors demonstrated how consumers can book cylinders using UPI payment apps. The process is similar across Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and Amazon Pay.

Steps to book LPG cylinder through payment apps:

• Open the app (Google Pay / PhonePe / Paytm / Amazon Pay)
• Go to Recharge & Bills section
• Select Gas Cylinder / LPG Booking option
• Choose your provider — Indane, HP Gas, or Bharat Gas
• Enter either:
  • Registered mobile number, or
  • 17/18-digit LPG ID (available on previous bill)
• Verify consumer name, distributor name, and price (around ₹920 in Ahmedabad)
• Click Proceed to Pay to confirm booking
• Payment confirmation completes the booking — OTP is usually not required

Officials said anyone can book a cylinder using these apps if they have the correct LPG ID or registered mobile number. The booking does not necessarily have to be done from the consumer’s own phone. However, the booking method may vary slightly across different apps.

Do not hoard cylinders, distributors appeal

Shailesh Patel from the Federation of LPG Distributors said, “From the Federation, we have only one message for customers — do not hoard cylinders in any way. In the current supply situation, hoarding will make it difficult for genuine customers to get their supply. Only those with immediate need should book. Customers with double cylinders should be patient. If single-cylinder holders do not panic, there will be no shortage. We request customers to book only when required and help maintain uninterrupted supply.”

New booking gap rule to control rush

Meanwhile, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the rush is due to demand distortion, not shortage, and delivery verification through OTP-based authentication is being expanded to prevent misuse. “A 25-day minimum booking gap has been introduced as a demand-management measure in urban areas and 45 days in rural and durgam kshetra areas,” he informed Parliament.

Advice to consumers

Gas agencies and experts have urged citizens not to panic-book cylinders and to use digital platforms instead of standing in queues.

They said booking through UPI apps ensures home delivery and helps reduce crowding at agencies while regular booking systems remain under heavy load. DeshGujarat