Long queues were seen at CNG pumps in Mumbai and surrounding areas on Tuesday as well. Damage to a major gas pipeline has disrupted supply, causing difficulties in filling up vehicles.
According to Mahanagar Gas Limited, the problem began on Sunday when a third party damaged the main GAIL supply pipeline at the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) complex. This affected gas supply to MGL’s City Gate station in Wadala, a major CNG supply hub in the city.
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MGL said on Monday evening that about 60 per cent of the 389 CNG pumps supplying gas in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, or 225, were functional and full service was expected to be restored by Tuesday afternoon.
Compulsion of drivers
“I’ve been standing in line at the CNG pump since 4 a.m. and I still don’t know when my vehicle will be filled with gas, as hundreds of taxis are waiting ahead of me,” said Sitaram Rajak, a taxi driver, who was standing in line at the MGL CNG pump in Tardeo. Rajak said he decided to fill up early so he could earn a good living with fewer cabs plying on the roads.
No impact on domestic supply
MGL clarified that the supply of piped natural gas to households continues without any interruption.
The situation was bad last day as well.
On Monday too, long queues were seen at several operational pumps in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai among autorickshaws, taxis, school vehicles and app-based cabs due to limited CNG supply.
Low pressure problem
According to the Petrol Dealers Association, low gas pressure has forced many pumps to either reduce their gas supply or temporarily shut down. There are approximately 150 CNG pumps in Mumbai city, many of which were out of service since Monday morning.
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Some app-based cabs switched to petrol, but black-and-yellow taxis didn’t have this option because they had removed their petrol options to reduce maintenance costs. This forced them to stop operating.
Impact on BEST buses
Sources within the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking said that some of its CNG buses were delayed or had to shorten routes due to supply disruptions at some depots. However, BEST officially stated that its operations were not affected.
