Newz Desk, Panagarh/Durgapur: Fresh concerns over fuel supply disruptions have begun to surface in parts of West Bengal, as online payment services at a key gas outlet in Panagarh have reportedly been suspended. The development, linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, has caused significant inconvenience for consumers and transporters alike.
According to sources, the CNG Panagarh unit of Indian Oil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd. has temporarily halted digital payment options, including UPI and card transactions. Customers are now being asked to make payments in cash, triggering long queues and operational delays.
Local residents and commercial vehicle drivers say the sudden shift has created confusion and difficulty, particularly for those accustomed to cashless transactions. “Most of us depend on UPI. Carrying large amounts of cash is not always safe or practical,” said Sagar Kumar a truck driver waiting at the station. Customers alleged that pump staff are neither proactively informing vehicle owners nor making any effort to alert them before dispensing fuel. “A simple warning before filling could save a lot of trouble. Instead, they remain silent until the last moment,” another customer said.
Dealers and insiders point to supply chain disruptions caused by the geopolitical situation in West Asia as a key factor behind the move. With uncertainties affecting fuel imports and pricing mechanisms, companies are reportedly tightening credit lines and limiting transaction modes to maintain liquidity.
Officials have not yet issued a formal statement on when normal digital payment services will resume. However, industry observers suggest that much will depend on how the international situation evolves in the coming days.
