A critical operational relaxation has been introduced for household cooking gas consumers in storm-ravaged coastal belts. In response to back-to-back severe cyclonic weather events hitting the region, the government has temporarily suspended the mandatory one-time password requirement for domestic LPG cylinder deliveries across thirteen districts of Andhra Pradesh. The administrative intervention seeks to guarantee that households enduring extensive physical devastation from cyclone Arnab, as well as the imminent threat of cyclone Murasu, face no obstacles in securing essential fuel supplies. In all remaining territories of Andhra Pradesh and across other Indian states, the standard authentication protocols remain fully active.
Cash-and-Carry Access for 13 Designated Districts
Under the revised directive, domestic cooking gas consumers located within the affected administrative zones no longer have to present a one-time password to receive their cylinders. Customers in these jurisdictions have been granted access to the cash-and-carry mechanism, empowering them to buy domestic cylinders straight from local authorized distributorships without waiting for home transport or navigating digital confirmation hurdles.
This special provision remains operational until further regulatory notice across the following 13 districts
- Srikakulam
- Vizianagaram
- Parvathipuram Manyam
- Alluri Sitarama Raju
- Visakhapatnam
- Anakapalli
- Polavaram
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema
- Kakinada
- East Godavari
- West Godavari
- Eluru
- Krishna
For all other districts and urban centers across Andhra Pradesh, as well as every other state across India, the mandatory delivery authentication code or OTP verification protocol continues without modification.
Scale of Damage from Cyclone Arnab and Incoming Threat of Murasu
The administrative relief follows widespread destruction triggered by severe cyclonic storm Arnab upon making landfall in Andhra Pradesh last week. Official assessments documented 4,891 damaged houses alongside 3,046 ruined huts across impacted zones. The severe storm claimed at least 3 lives in the state. Agricultural devastation was immense, with at least 351,724 hectares of standard crop land and 23,211.5 hectares of horticulture acreage taking substantial hits. In one detailed accounting, approximately 79,000 acres of standing agricultural crops suffered destruction.
Public educational facilities experienced severe disruption as well, with 264 school buildings sustaining physical damage. Concurrently, 795 schools were repurposed as makeshift relief shelters to provide refuge for displaced residents. As recovery efforts struggle against these massive losses, the state faces an additional meteorological challenge with severe cyclone Murasu projected to strike between November 2 and November 4, necessitating preventative measures to keep domestic supply chains functioning.
Regulatory Purpose Behind the Delivery Authentication Code
Under standard national procedures, domestic cylinder recipients must provide a Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) or OTP at the moment of handover. The enforcement mechanism grew rigorous following supply uncertainties connected to the West Asia conflict. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had clarified that deliveries could not be finalized in the absence of valid OTP verification.
The primary regulatory objective of this digital check is verifying that domestic cylinders reach genuine, registered consumers. By enforcing direct authentication at doorstep handovers, the framework prevents illicit diversion, curtails black marketing, curbs hoarding, and creates complete transparency across supply chains.
Standard Booking Procedure Across Indane, Bharat Gas, and HP Gas
Regardless of the supplier, consumers nationwide can initiate cylinder refill requests through standard operational pathways. The end-to-end procedure involves six clear stages
- Step 1: Open the official smartphone app or navigate to the web portal of Indane, Bharat Gas, or HP Gas.
- Step 2: Sign in to your account utilizing your registered contact number or designated 16-digit LPG consumer identification.
- Step 3: Choose the refill booking section, verify all residential details, and finalize the request.
- Step 4: Receive an instant confirmation alert displaying your unique booking tracking reference.
- Step 5: Track regular delivery updates delivered via automated text alerts and application notifications.
- Step 6: Receive a one-time password on your registered phone on the scheduled delivery date to show to the delivery agent.
Refill Booking Options for HP Gas Consumers
HP Gas offers a comprehensive set of automated and physical avenues for securing cylinder refills
- HP Pay Application: Book directly after installing the utility app through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- IVRS Booking System: Dial 88888 23456 directly from the telephone number tied to your gas account.
- Missed Call Service: Trigger an automated booking request by placing a missed call to 94936 02222 from your linked mobile.
- Web Portal: Access digital servicing tools online at www.myhpgas.in.
- UMANG Multi-service App: Place requests inside the central UMANG software available across Android and iOS platforms.
- WhatsApp Messaging: Transmit the greeting 'Hi' via WhatsApp to 92222 01122 from your registered mobile number.
- Third-party Utility Portals: Process bookings and payments using Amazon, Paytm, PhonePe, or any banking wallet integrated with the Bharat Bill Payment System under utility categories.
- Common Service Centres: Request assistance by visiting a local CSC facility.
- Distributor Offices: Book or collect refills directly at your nearby HP Gas agency counter.
Refill Booking Options for Bharat Gas Consumers
Bharat Gas clients have access to several prompt digital and telephonic channels
- IVRS Telephony: Call the centralized booking telephone lines at 77150 12345 or 77180 12345.
- WhatsApp Smartline: Message 'Hi' to the BPCL Smartline channel at 1800 22 4344.
- Text Message: Send an SMS containing the text 'LPG' to 77150 12345 or 77180 12345.
- Bharatgas Mobile App: Process refill orders through the official software downloadable on Android and Apple devices.
- Booking Receipt: The consumer receives an SMS notification showing their specific booking reference and anticipated dispatch timeframe.
Refill Booking Options for Indane Gas Consumers
Indian Oil facilitates refill management for Indane customers through multiple dedicated touchpoints
- Online Customer Portal: Manage cylinder requests through the official IndianOil consumer website.
- IndianOil ONE App: Access refill tools via the dedicated mobile application.
- SMS Messaging Service: Send booking messages to 77189 55555, adhering to registration guidelines for first-time senders.
- IVRS Hotline: Dial 77189 55555 from your registered phone, ensuring your 16-digit LPG consumer ID is readily accessible.
- WhatsApp Assistant: Text the word 'REFILL' to 75888 88824 using your registered phone number.
- Missed Call Hotline: Complete your refill reservation by leaving a missed call on 84549 55555 from your linked mobile.
