Bhubaneswar, March 28: A severe shortage of cooking gas has triggered unrest in the state capital, with consumers alleging irregularities in cylinder distribution. Despite booking LPG cylinders and receiving OTP confirmations, many residents claim they are yet to receive deliveries.

Customers alleged that gas agencies are citing non-availability of stock even after generating delivery OTPs. This has raised suspicions, with several consumers accusing agencies of diverting cylinders and selling them in the black market.

The issue comes amid reports of supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, leading to a wider gas shortage. In Bhubaneswar, hundreds of consumers staged a protest outside a gas agency, demanding immediate supply and transparency in the distribution process.

Protesters claimed that although bookings were confirmed and OTPs received, cylinders were not delivered even after several days. When approached, agency officials reportedly maintained that stocks were unavailable.

Meanwhile, authorities are yet to issue a clear statement on the situation. A high-level meeting on the gas supply crisis is underway in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, with participation from supply ministers of nine states, including Minister Krushna Patra.

The situation continues to cause inconvenience to residents as uncertainty over supply persists.