Bengaluru Auto LPG Crisis Enters Third Week with No Relief in Sight
Two weeks into the ongoing auto LPG supply disruption, Bengaluru continues to witness extensive queues of green LPG-powered autorickshaws snaking around fuel stations across the metropolitan area. The situation remains particularly dire at government-operated outlets, while private filling stations struggle with operational challenges and customer avoidance due to significantly higher pricing structures.
Private Stations Face Operational Paralysis
Across Bengaluru's urban landscape, very few private LPG outlets remain functional, creating severe bottlenecks in the city's transportation fuel infrastructure. Many auto drivers are consciously avoiding the limited operational private stations due to what they describe as "exorbitant" pricing that has nearly doubled compared to pre-crisis rates.
At a jointly operated Indian Oil and Petronas gas-filling facility in Banashankari, foot traffic has dwindled to minimal levels. Local residents report the station remained completely shut for multiple consecutive days, reflecting a broader pattern of intermittent closures affecting private gas stations throughout the city. These establishments continue to grapple with persistently low demand and operational instability.
Drivers Navigate Price Disparities and Reduced Earnings
"Since this supply crisis began, I've exclusively refueled at government-run pumps," explained Velu, an autorickshaw driver operating from Majestic. "The majority of private stations remain closed, and those that do operate charge approximately Rs 120 per litre of LPG—a rate that's simply unsustainable for daily operations."
This pricing reality was evident at a private LPG filling station situated on Bannerghatta Road near the Jayadeva Hospital Metro station. While technically operational, the facility attracted minimal interest from autorickshaw drivers, with the price capped at Rs 120 per litre representing nearly double the pre-crisis expenditure for fuel.
Government Stations Become Pressure Points
Approximately six kilometres away in Koramangala, an Indian Oil Corporation station presented a starkly contrasting scenario. Here, extensive queues of autorickshaws stretched hundreds of meters into adjacent residential areas, creating traffic disruptions and tensions among waiting drivers.
At this particular station, drivers were observed engaging in heated arguments regarding queue priority, with one autorickshaw transporting a female passenger even demanding preferential treatment to advance ahead of others. "More drivers congregate here because the price remains around Rs 90 per litre—substantially lower than private station rates," noted Syed Moula, a Koramangala-based driver. "Our earnings have simultaneously plummeted as only limited trip opportunities are available."
Moula further revealed that drivers relying exclusively on offline passenger trips are implementing survival strategies, including charging commuters an additional Rs 15–30 per ride to offset reduced income and increased operational costs.
Government Maintains Supply Stability Narrative
Despite the visible ground reality, state government authorities assert that stability in auto LPG supply was successfully restored between April 2 and 6. According to official data, public sector companies supplied 87.8 metric tonnes on April 2, followed by 86.1 metric tonnes on April 3, 84.8 metric tonnes on April 4, peaking at 94.1 metric tonnes on April 5, and 83.6 metric tonnes on April 6.
On Wednesday, the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs issued an advisory urging auto owners and drivers to disregard circulating scarcity rumors and avoid unnecessary queuing at gas stations. "Only minor shortages were observed at select private auto gas suppliers," the department stated. "To address this situation, government-owned oil companies—Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation—are supplying additional gas volumes."
Previously, these three petroleum giants supplied an average of 56.7 metric tonnes of auto LPG daily. To meet escalating current demand, supply has been substantially increased, with retail outlets now receiving an average of 83.6 metric tonnes per day according to official figures.
Broader Implications for Urban Mobility
The persistent auto LPG crisis in Bengaluru highlights significant vulnerabilities in the city's transportation fuel supply chain and raises questions about contingency planning for such disruptions. With autorickshaws constituting a vital component of Bengaluru's public transportation ecosystem, the ongoing situation affects not only driver livelihoods but also commuter convenience and overall urban mobility patterns.
As the crisis enters its third week, stakeholders await tangible improvements in distribution efficiency and pricing normalization that would alleviate the pressure on both drivers and the transportation network they sustain.
