Rush Hour Crisis In Mumbai: CNG Shortage Leaves Commuters, Office-Goers And Students Stuck As Autos And Cabs Stop Running
Mumbai faced a severe transport crisis on Monday morning as a sudden disruption in compressed natural gas (CNG) supply left commuters, office-goers, and students stranded across the city. The shortage followed damage to a GAIL pipeline inside the RCF compound, which cut off supply to Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL)’s Wadala City Gate Station, a key hub feeding CNG to Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai.
In a statement, MGL said the supply disruption occurred due to “third-party damage in the main gas supply pipeline of GAIL inside the RCF compound.” The company added that domestic piped natural gas (PNG) supply was prioritised, while industrial and commercial consumers were advised to switch to alternative fuels. However, no timeline has been provided for the resumption of normal CNG supply.
With no fuel available overnight, hundreds of auto-rickshaws, taxis, and app-based cabs remained off the roads. Drivers explained that they had exhausted their remaining CNG on Sunday evening and were unable to operate Monday morning without a fresh supply.
Kurla, one of Mumbai’s busiest transit hubs, experienced severe congestion as students and office-goers struggled to reach universities, offices, BKC, and hospitals. With rickshaws and cabs missing, BEST buses became the only option for thousands.
Long queues formed at bus stops in Kurla, Chembur, Santacruz, Andheri, and Sion, with commuters struggling to board jam-packed buses. Priya Patil, a student commuting from Kurla to Kalina, said, “There were no autos anywhere. The buses were packed, and I had to force my way in. A journey that usually takes 15 minutes took almost 40.”
Drivers Helpless Amid Crisis
Auto driver Sameer Shaikh, operating near Kurla West, said, “Passengers were pleading for rides, but what can we do? There is no CNG. We are just sitting in our autos, helpless. I waited at the petrol pump for one and a half hours, but there was no fuel.”
The crisis was evident at a Santacruz petrol pump, where nearly 100 vehicles- cars, autos, and app-based cabs queued before sunrise for CNG. The line stretched nearly 100 metres onto the main road, slowing traffic further.
Ola driver Rakesh Pawar shared, “Everyone thought supply would start in the morning. But the pump has been dry since yesterday. The entire line has not moved.” Another driver, Imran Khan, added, “People think we are refusing passengers. We can’t even start our vehicles. The whole city is waiting for gas.”
Sahil Jadhav, a student commuting from Santacruz to Kalina campus, described the chaos: “It felt like an unannounced transport shutdown. People were running behind buses. Even the usually light morning buses were overflowing.”
Mumbai continues to face uncertainty as residents and commuters await restoration of CNG supply and a return to normalcy.
In a statement, MGL said the supply disruption occurred due to “third-party damage in the main gas supply pipeline of GAIL inside the RCF compound.” The company added that domestic piped natural gas (PNG) supply was prioritised, while industrial and commercial consumers were advised to switch to alternative fuels. However, no timeline has been provided for the resumption of normal CNG supply.
Commuters Face Chaos as Autos and Cabs Stay Off Roads
With no fuel available overnight, hundreds of auto-rickshaws, taxis, and app-based cabs remained off the roads. Drivers explained that they had exhausted their remaining CNG on Sunday evening and were unable to operate Monday morning without a fresh supply.
Kurla, one of Mumbai’s busiest transit hubs, experienced severe congestion as students and office-goers struggled to reach universities, offices, BKC, and hospitals. With rickshaws and cabs missing, BEST buses became the only option for thousands.
Long queues formed at bus stops in Kurla, Chembur, Santacruz, Andheri, and Sion, with commuters struggling to board jam-packed buses. Priya Patil, a student commuting from Kurla to Kalina, said, “There were no autos anywhere. The buses were packed, and I had to force my way in. A journey that usually takes 15 minutes took almost 40.”
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Drivers Helpless Amid Crisis
Auto driver Sameer Shaikh, operating near Kurla West, said, “Passengers were pleading for rides, but what can we do? There is no CNG. We are just sitting in our autos, helpless. I waited at the petrol pump for one and a half hours, but there was no fuel.”
The crisis was evident at a Santacruz petrol pump, where nearly 100 vehicles- cars, autos, and app-based cabs queued before sunrise for CNG. The line stretched nearly 100 metres onto the main road, slowing traffic further.
Ola driver Rakesh Pawar shared, “Everyone thought supply would start in the morning. But the pump has been dry since yesterday. The entire line has not moved.” Another driver, Imran Khan, added, “People think we are refusing passengers. We can’t even start our vehicles. The whole city is waiting for gas.”
Sahil Jadhav, a student commuting from Santacruz to Kalina campus, described the chaos: “It felt like an unannounced transport shutdown. People were running behind buses. Even the usually light morning buses were overflowing.”
Mumbai continues to face uncertainty as residents and commuters await restoration of CNG supply and a return to normalcy.
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