Govt earmarks 20k LPG connections for Kumbh

PRAYAGRAJ: The Kumbh Mela Authority will provide over

20,000 temporary gas connections to seers and pilgrims camping here for over a month on the sandy banks of Sangam during Kumbh.

The authority will set up five gas cylinder godowns of three firms—Indane, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum in different sectors of the sprawling tent city spread across 3200 hectares.

At these five godowns in the mela area, cylinders loaded on vehicles will stand ready.

As soon as connection is issued, the cylinders and other items would be issued at the spot.

Likewise, refills will also be provided at these very sites, said Chandra Pal Tiwari, additional Kumbh Mela Adhikari.

He also made clear that no subsidy would be available to the pilgrims and seers on these gas connections or cylinders.

However the facility for giving out connections and the allimportant refills would be available 24X7 all through the 49 day fair, he added.

The traditional small gas cylinders of varied local firms which many of the pilgrims bring with themselves would remain banned in the mela area.

Instead these three agencies would also give small 5kg cylinder connections to those wishing to use them and refill smaller cylinders that have been duly given on the basis of connections to their consumers earlier as

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The facility for giving out connections and the all-important refills would be available 24X7 all through the 49 day fair CHANDRA PAL TIWARI, additional Kumbh Mela Adhikari.

well but on market rate.

Indian Oil Corporation’s district nodal officer Alka Singh said that for connections, a photo identity document, one passport size photograph and a copy of land allotment for the site given by the mela authority where the person is camping would be needed.

No one would be forced to buy the gas stoves with these temporary connections.

Joint commissioner food and civil supplies Manoj Kumar shared that small gas cylinders not issued by licensed cooking gas firms would remained banned and special checking drives would be undertaken in the mela area to enforce this ban and ensure safety of camping pilgrims.

The refilling of cylinders be it of 14.2 kg capacity or 5 kg ones, would be done immediately. Around 20,000 such temporary connections would be granted during the fair, he added.

Security and regulator cost taken from every person taking the connection would be refunded at the time of connection surrender, he said.