Chennai auto-rickshaw fares rise as LPG, CNG shortage leaves 25% autos stranded with no fuel; Several gas stations reportedly shut down

The geopolitical volatility in the Middle East has hit the streets of Chennai, where a critical shortage of automotive LPG and CNG is currently grounding a significant portion of the city's transport. Union officials confirmed Wednesday that nearly one-fourth of gas-powered auto-rickshaws failed to secure fuel during the last 24-hour cycle, forcing thousands of drivers back to expensive petrol or total operational idling. As gas stations across Mount Road and Madipakkam begin to run dry, the shortage is manifesting as a direct tax on commuters, with average trip costs jumping by as much as ₹50 as drivers attempt to offset black-market fuel rates that have soared nearly 30% above the government-mandated price.

Auto Unions Warn of Growing Transport Paralysis

The supply bottleneck is rapidly thinning the number of active vehicles on Chennai's roads. S. Balasubramaniam, state working president of the Tamil Nadu Auto Thozhilalargal Sammelanam, told IANS that nearly 25 per cent of autos running on gas could not get a refill yesterday. Balasubramaniam warned that if the shortage continues, the number of sidelined vehicles will certainly increase, leaving thousands of livelihoods at risk. Drivers who specifically transitioned to gas for better mileage are now being forced to switch back to petrol, a move that drastically reduces their daily take-home earnings.

Chennai Auto Fares Hike

The fuel scarcity has translated into immediate financial pressure for passengers. Commuters told IANS that fares have surged significantly, with a standard ride from Chennai Central to Egmore now costing approximately ₹40 more than previous weeks. One passenger, Vignesh Kumar, noted that typical routes such as Aynavaram to Koyambedu have seen prices rise from ₹130 to nearly ₹180. Drivers maintain that these hikes are a matter of survival, as they are often forced to buy LPG at ₹70 to ₹80 per kg from private sellers, far exceeding the official rate of ₹59.41.

Chennai LPG Crisis

Retailers are also reeling from the import disruption. A manager at a GO Gas LPG filling station in Little Mount told IANS that five of their outlets had to remain shut for two days due to a total lack of supply, resulting in losses of nearly ₹1 lakh per day per outlet. At major hubs like Mount Road, station operators are warning that existing stocks may be exhausted by Wednesday night, leading to further temporary closures until fresh loads arrive from the refineries. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that only 13 bunks in the city are currently equipped to dispense LPG due to stringent safety regulations which require a minimum distance of around 500 feet from petrol and diesel storage tanks.

Chennai Drivers Endure Long Wait Times for Refills

For those lucky enough to find a station with stock, the wait times have become prohibitive. S. Dinesh, an auto driver, told IANS that it now takes almost two hours to refill a tank, even for those who arrive in the early morning to beat the rush. With 40,000 LPG and 20,000 CNG autos competing for dwindling resources at a limited number of dispensing points, the logistical strain is reaching a breaking point. Station operators and union leaders are now looking toward the central government for a restoration of the fuel lifeline before the city’s transport network faces a complete standstill.

(With IANS inputs)