Now, book your LPG refill through IVRS or an SMS

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) customers of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in the city could henceforth book their LPG refills through an automated interactive voice response system (IVRS) or by just sending in a short-message service (SMS).

The new systems is expected to eliminate complaints of distributors not answering calls from customers and also help in controlling misuse or diversion of subsidised domestic LPG.

Over 60 per cent of the LPG customers in the city are being served by IOC and an estimated 1.5 to 2 lakh customers would benefit from the introduction of the new systems

According to sources, the system has been introduced in the city first covering 13 distributors and would gradually be extended to other parts of the district.

Even though the IVRS and SMS booking systems have already been introduced, distributors would continue to taking bookings for refills over the telephone under the existing system. Bookings through telephone would be gradually phased out, the sources said and added that leaflets explaining the procedure of booking under the new systems were being distributed to the consumers.

Customers using the IVRS system would be required to dial 8124024365, select the language, key in the STD code, distributor's telephone number and their customer number. They would have to press 1 to book for a refill. Those using the system for the first time would have to press 1 again to register their mobile numbers.

To book your refill through SMS, customers need to send in a text message to 8124024365 as follows: IOC STD code and distributors telephone number customer number. On receiving a confirmation, customers will have to SMS IOC to 8124024365 (and not reply to the number from which they get the confirmation message). For subsequent bookings, customers will have to SMS IOC to 8124024365.

The following distributors are covered under the new systems in the city along with their telephone numbers: Annai Saradha Gas Agency (2771137); Aarthi Gas Agency (2332727); Chinthamani (2792386); Prabhu Gas Agency (2741118); Karuppiah Gas Agency (2458393); Muthumani Gas Agency (2552838); Lakshmi Gas Agency (2761889); Dinar Gas Agency (2483454); Rockfort Gas Agency (2703288); Renga Gas Agency (2432759); City Police Gas Agency (2473953); OFT Gas Agency (2581742) and TNCSC Gas Agency (2743247).