Mumbai transport system collapsed due to the Chembur CNG pipeline damage. Read the full story on how auto and cab fares surged, crippling MMR commute and impacting drivers’ livelihoods.
Mumbai CNG Shortage: Auto & Cab Fare Surge
The financial capital of India recently woke up to an unexpected transport gridlock, following a major disruption in the city’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) supply network. This severe Mumbai CNG shortage stemmed from significant damage to a crucial gas pipeline, instantly crippling the public transport backbone relied upon by millions of daily commuters across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The crisis originated on Sunday afternoon at the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) terminal in Chembur, where a key GAIL India Ltd. gas supply pipeline sustained “third-party damage.” This incident abruptly halted the flow of gas to the Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) City Gate Station (CGS) at Wadala, the primary distribution node feeding fuel across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai.
The lack of autorickshaw availability and taxi services created an immediate vacuum, quickly exploited by operational vehicles. Reports poured in from across the city detailing instances of price gouging and inflated charges. Commuters reported paying two to three times the standard fare, particularly for app-based aggregator cabs like Ola and Uber, which immediately implemented heavy surge pricing. For instance, a journey from Mira Road to BKC, typically costing around ₹450, shot up well past the ₹600 mark. Even worse, shared autos near major railway hubs like Kurla and Bandra were reportedly fleecing passengers, demanding exorbitant amounts up to ₹60 per person for short routes to locations like the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).
