If you regularly order cooking gas cylinders at home, a new rule could affect how your delivery is completed. Oil companies have tightened the system for delivering Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders by making OTP-based verification more strictly enforced.

Under the updated process, customers must now provide a Delivery Authentication Code (DAC)—a four-digit one-time password (OTP) sent to their registered mobile number—when the cylinder is delivered. Without this code, the delivery will not be considered complete in the company’s records.

What the New Rule Means for Consumers

When a delivery person arrives with the cylinder, the customer must share the OTP received on their mobile phone. The delivery agent then enters this code into the system to confirm the successful delivery.

Oil companies have now instructed distributors to ensure that at least 80 percent of cylinder deliveries are verified through OTP authentication. If the code is not entered, the delivery may not be officially recorded.

Why the Rule Is Being Strictly Implemented

The OTP-based Delivery Authentication Code system was first introduced several years ago to improve transparency in cylinder distribution. However, its implementation remained flexible due to network connectivity issues and resistance from customers in some rural areas.

Now, oil companies are enforcing it more strictly to prevent irregularities such as:

• Unauthorized deliveries

• Misuse of subsidized cylinders

• Incorrect distributor records

Under the new guidelines, if distributors deliver cylinders without OTP verification, those cylinders will not be deducted from their inventory records. As a result, companies may delay sending new stock to the distributor until previous deliveries are properly authenticated.

Possible Impact on Gas Supply

This rule could temporarily affect cylinder availability in some areas. If distributors fail to verify deliveries through OTP, their recorded stock levels may remain high, which could delay fresh supplies from oil companies.

Because of this, strict compliance with the OTP system has become important for both consumers and distributors.

Challenges Faced by Consumers

The new system may be inconvenient for some households, especially those who previously received cylinders without formal booking. Under the updated rules:

• Cylinders generally cannot be delivered without official booking.

• An OTP verification is required at the time of delivery.

• A new booking can usually be made only after about 25 days from the previous delivery.

In addition, supply disruptions in some regions have also occurred due to operational changes at certain bottling plants.

What Consumers Should Do

To avoid delays or complications with LPG delivery, consumers should:

• Ensure their mobile number is updated with their gas distributor.

• Keep the OTP received during booking ready at the time of delivery.

• Always book cylinders through official channels.