A tragic incident in Akola has sparked outrage after a 55-year-old former village sarpanch died while standing in a queue for an LPG cylinder amid intense heat conditions.
The deceased, Shankarrao Sirsat, had travelled to the city to assist his widowed daughter-in-law, who was reportedly facing difficulty in obtaining a domestic gas refill.
Collapse in extreme heat
According to sources, Sirsat reached a gas agency in the Malkapur area around 9 am and joined the queue. With temperatures soaring to 41.2°C—making Akola the hottest city in the Vidarbha region that day—he waited for several hours under harsh conditions.
At around 1.30 pm, he reportedly felt dizzy and collapsed. He was declared dead on the spot, leaving bystanders shocked.
Public anger over LPG supply issues
The incident has triggered strong reactions from local residents, who questioned the administration’s preparedness and the availability of LPG cylinders.
Many alleged that inadequate supply and long waiting times forced people, especially the elderly, to stand in extreme heat without proper arrangements.
Political reaction
Prakash Ambedkar, national president of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, criticised the authorities, stating that better planning and timely intervention could have prevented the tragedy.
He called for accountability and immediate measures to ensure smoother LPG distribution.
Calls for urgent reforms
Citizens have demanded improved supply systems, better crowd management at gas agencies, and basic facilities such as shade and drinking water for those waiting in queues.
The incident highlights the combined risks of heatwaves and essential service disruptions, raising urgent questions about public safety and administrative response.