CNG Disruption India: Mumbai Autos, Taxis, and BEST Buses Face Major Impact Today
Mumbai is grappling with a major CNG disruption that’s thrown its transport system into chaos. A key GAIL pipeline inside the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) compound has been damaged, cutting off supply to Mahanagar Gas Limited’s (MGL) City Gate Station in Wadala. As a result, hundreds of autos, taxis, and even some public buses are unable to refuel. For many commuters, Monday morning felt like a commute crisis, with waiting, price surges, and fewer vehicles on the road. We will explain what’s really going on, why it’s happening, and what the fallout means for everyday life in Mumbai.
Scope of the Disruption
The disruption affects not just small pockets but a broad stretch of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), including Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai. MGL has 389 CNG stations in its network, but only around 225 are currently operational. About 60% are back in service, while many remain closed or limited.
The outage is hitting people hard: auto-rickshaws, black-and-yellow taxis, app-based cabs (like Ola and Uber), and even BEST buses are all feeling the pressure. MGL stated that the problem began when a third party damaged the GAIL pipeline, cutting off the key gas flow into the city’s network.
Impact on Daily Commuters
For daily commuters, the disruption has been painful. Auto and taxi drivers are forced off the roads or are working with limited fuel. Many are stuck in long queues at the few pumps that are still working. Because of the shortage, fares have surged. Some app‑based cabs have more than doubled their rates, especially during peak hours. Others are simply not accepting long rides.
Commuters have voiced their frustration on social media. Several users reported being stranded, and some said they were overcharged heavily due to the limited supply. Students and workers who rely on auto‑rickshaws or taxis are especially hit. With fewer vehicles running, some people are turning to trains, metros, or carpooling.
Effect on BEST Bus Services
BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport) runs a large fleet, and many of its buses use CNG. The disruption has caused trouble for a chunk of its service. Officials say that some depots are seeing restricted operations due to low gas supply, which means fewer buses leaving on schedule or some routes being shortened. Overcrowding may rise on active routes, especially in business-heavy or residential areas, as commuters scramble for options.
Though MGL has prioritized restoring supply, the short-term impact on bus services could disrupt daily life, particularly for people who rely on CNG‑powered BEST buses.
Reasons Behind the CNG Disruption
At the heart of the crisis is the damaged GAIL pipeline inside the RCF compound. This pipeline feeds the MGL City Gate Station at Wadala, which then distributes gas to filling stations across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai. MGL says the damage came from a “third-party” incident. Because of this cut, gas pressure dropped sharply, forcing many stations to shut temporarily.
To ease the pain, MGL has prioritized piped natural gas (PNG) supply to homes, so residential customers are still getting gas. On the other hand, they have asked industrial and commercial customers in the affected area to switch to alternate fuel for now. Repair work is underway. According to MGL, the pipeline is being fixed, and full gas flow is expected to resume by Tuesday at noon.
Economic and Social Implications
The economic hit is real and serious. Auto and taxi drivers stand to lose big: no fuel, no rides, no income. Many drivers rely on daily earnings; even a short disruption can hurt their wallets hard. For commuters, the cost is rising too. Surge fare rates are hurting low- and middle-income people, especially those who don’t have good public transport alternatives. BEST buses reduce the pressure somewhat, but if service is reduced or delayed, people who rely on buses may face overcrowding on other modes or longer travel times.
There’s also a broader warning: this crisis highlights how fragile Mumbai’s transport system is when too many parts depend on one key pipeline. Some commuters and analysts are now calling for more redundancy and backup plans for critical infrastructure.
Conclusion
Mumbai’s CNG disruption is not just a fuel crisis; it’s a wake-up call. Autos, taxis, and buses all rely heavily on CNG, and when the supply breaks, the entire transport network feels it. We’ve seen long queues, fare surges, frustrated commuters, and drivers off the road. Authorities have responded quickly, and repair work is underway, but the disruption reminds us of how delicate such a system can be. Going forward, the city may need to rethink its dependence on a single pipeline. Diversifying energy sources or building backup infrastructure could help prevent a repeat of this kind of transport breakdown.
For now, we wait and hope that by Tuesday noon, CNG supply will be restored and the wheels of Mumbai will turn smoothly again.
FAQS
There is a big drop in CNG supply because a major GAIL gas pipeline inside the RCF compound was damaged.
The shortage is happening because the gas pipeline broke, cutting off the ow to MGL’s station at Wadala, reducing pressure and forcing many CNG pumps to shut.
Because of the CNG cut, many autos, taxis, and buses are off the road. People wait hours at pumps. Fares are going up, hurting daily commuters.
Disclaimer:
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