Autos, taxis, buses hit as CNG shortage throws Mumbai’s transport network into chaos
A damaged gas pipeline in Chembur triggered a major CNG shortage across Mumbai, leaving commuters stranded, buses grounded and thousands of autos and taxis off the roads, with long queues at fuel pumps and transport unions warning of worsening disruption on Tuesday.
Mumbai: A day after a damaged gas pipeline in Chembur disrupted CNG supply across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, thousands of commuters struggled on Monday to find autorickshaws, taxis, private cabs and even school buses as many CNG refuelling stations remained shut.
With repairs still underway, the situation is expected to worsen on Tuesday, raising concerns that nearly half of the BEST bus fleet running on CNG may also be taken off the roads, severely hampering the city’s public transport network.
VIDEO | Taxis queue in large numbers outside a CNG pump in Matunga
Over 5 lakh private CNG vehicle owners affected!
The disruption hit owners of more than half a million private CNG cars, while many of the region’s 20,000 taxis and three lakh autorickshaws queued outside the few operational pumps. Drivers reported long waits, uncertainty over when supply would resume and significant loss of daily earnings. Commuters faced inflated fares, crowded buses and long walks as vehicles either remained stranded or switched to petrol at higher cost.
Although around 225 of Mahanagar Gas Limited’s 389 stations operated intermittently, supply pressure remained low. The company maintained that domestic PNG supplies would not be affected and expected restoration by Tuesday afternoon.
No reserves left for night refuelling: BEST officials
BEST managed to operate CNG buses on Monday using fuel stocked the previous night, but officials warned that no reserves were left for night refuelling. App based cab services shifted to petrol where possible, but surge pricing left riders paying sharply higher fares.
School transport services were also hit. Nearly 2,000 school buses across MMR stayed off the roads, forcing parents to walk long distances with children or make last minute travel arrangements. Several families strggled to reach schools, coaching classes and railway stations.
Office-goers irked with surge in commute charges
In Bandra Kurla Complex and other business districts, share autos charged steep fares, leaving office goers frustrated. Long queues formed outside pumps in suburbs such as Bhandup and Thane, with some motorists waiting from before dawn until afternoon with little clarity on supply timelines. In Navi Mumbai, cab operators reported being unable to work for two days.
Representatives of transport unions criticised the lack of a contingency supply line, arguing that an alternative pipeline could have kept essential services running. Police were deployed at certain pumps to manage crowds, as concerns grew that the crisis could escalate during Tuesday’s morning peak if normal supply is not restored.