Vizag delivery agent flees with 42 LPG cylinders amid fuel crisis

VISAKHAPATNAM: City police on Sunday arrested Y Appa Rao (33), a gas delivery agent, for fleeing with both filled and empty LPG cylinders. The Gajuwaka police had registered a case against him on Saturday following a complaint from the management of Manikanta Indane Gas Agency in Chinagantyada.Appa Rao, a native of Guddipa village in Anakapalle district, had been working with the agency for two years. Exploiting the ongoing LPG crisis, he collected OTPs, empty cylinders, and cash from customers, promising delivery of refilled cylinders.Investigations revealed that Rao diverted 42 cylinders — 33 from customers in Kanithi Road and Chinagantyada, and nine from the agency — along with Rs 13,500 in cash. Instead of returning them, he sold the cylinders at high prices to private individuals without gas connections.Police said Rao had been absconding for ten days before being traced to his native village. Three cylinders were recovered, and further investigation is underway.