Mumbai CNG Crisis Continues: Long Queues for Second Day Following Pipeline Damage

Mumbai city, with approximately 150 CNG pumps, faced severe disruptions as many stations remained non-operational since Monday morning.

CNG pumps throughout Mumbai and nearby regions experienced extensive queues for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, as supply interruptions caused by damage to a critical gas pipeline continued to impede vehicle refueling.

Most CNG stations, including those managed by Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL), witnessed lengthy lines beginning early morning—particularly consisting of black-yellow taxis and autorickshaws—with numerous drivers reporting waiting periods of three to four hours, in contrast to the usual 15 to 30 minutes.

According to Mahanagar Gas Limited, the disruption originated on Sunday following third-party damage to GAIL's primary supply pipeline within the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) compound, which affected gas flow to MGL's City Gate Station at Wadala—a crucial entry point for Compressed Natural Gas supply to the city.

MGL announced Monday evening that approximately 60 percent, or 225 of the 389 CNG pumps supplying gas to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, remained functional, with complete restoration anticipated by Tuesday noon.

"I've been waiting in the CNG pump queue since 4 am and I still don't know when my vehicle will be refilled, as there are scores of taxis ahead of me," taxi driver Sitaram Rajak informed PTI.

He was waiting in the extensive queue at the Tardeo MGL CNG pump for refueling.

Rajak mentioned that he intended to refill CNG early, hoping to earn well with fewer cabs operating on the roads.

MGL stated on Monday, "Rectification work is in progress and the restoration of gas supply is expected by November 18 noon." The Piped Natural Gas supply to households remained unaffected, they added.

On Monday as well, lengthy queues were observed at several operational pumps across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai as autorickshaws, taxis, school vehicles and app-based cabs competed for the limited CNG supply.

Pumps experiencing low pressure were forced to either reduce dispensing or temporarily cease operations, according to petrol dealers.

Mumbai city has approximately 150 CNG pumps, and many remained non-functional since Monday morning due to low gas pressure, as reported by the Petrol Dealers Association.

Some app-based cabs switched to petrol, but the majority of black-yellow taxis, which had removed their petrol option to reduce maintenance costs, had no such alternative and were forced to suspend operations, dealers noted.

Sources within the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking indicated that some of its CNG buses were delayed or forced to curtail routes due to the affected supply at several depots. The utility, however, officially maintained that operations remained unaffected.

MGL stated it had prioritized supply to residential consumers and advised industrial and commercial users in affected areas to transition to alternate fuel until complete restoration.

"Gas supplies across MGL's network will normalize once the damage is rectified and supply is restored to CGS Wadala," it stated while expressing regret for the inconvenience caused.