Kolkata Auto LPG Price Hike Sparks Widespread Commuting Crisis
A sharp increase of Rs 5 per litre in auto LPG prices has plunged Kolkata into a severe commuting crisis, forcing nearly 40% of the city's auto-rickshaws off their usual routes. This disruption has triggered widespread chaos across several neighbourhoods, with passengers facing long waits and fare hikes on the outskirts, exacerbating the daily struggles of millions of commuters.
Demand-Supply Gap Widens as Autos Vanish from Streets
On Wednesday, long queues of stranded passengers were observed at major auto stands as the demand-supply gap widened dramatically. Thousands of commuters were left stranded or forced to endure significantly longer waiting times than usual. Autos, serving as the second-largest mode of public transport in the metropolitan area after buses, are crucial for last-mile connectivity, making this disruption particularly impactful for daily travel.
With approximately 97% of autos running on LPG, the sudden price hike and difficulty in accessing refills have severely disrupted services. The situation deteriorated as drivers spent hours waiting at LPG pumps, often travelling far beyond their designated routes to find fuel. Many operators opted to suspend services for part of the day or shorten their routes to mitigate financial losses.
Drivers Struggle with Fuel Access and Operational Challenges
Barid Ghosh, an auto driver operating on the Behala–Rashbehari route, highlighted the operational nightmare: "Half of the day is spent fetching LPG. We often have to travel beyond our route just to find a pump that still has gas. Several stations go dry quickly because autos are trying to fill full tanks. If we run the entire route in this situation, we will only bleed money."
Drivers reported that until Tuesday, they spent between 40 minutes and nearly two-and-a-half hours waiting for refills. On Wednesday, queues stretching 300 to 400 metres were seen outside several filling stations, including pumps near Behala Chowrasta and New Town. Autos operating from interior neighbourhoods to areas like Sarsuna, Boral, Tollygunge, and Baghajatin were among the worst affected.
Fare Hikes and Route Truncations Add to Commuter Woes
Many vehicles did not return to service after exhausting their fuel. While fares in many outskirts already increased, the All India Trinamool Trade Union Congress (AITTUC), which controls several auto unions, refused to allow a fare hike within city limits. Consequently, drivers were forced to truncate routes to offset losses. An operator on the Behala–Rashbehari corridor stated, "No auto ran the full route today. Vehicles that normally run till Rashbehari are stopping at New Alipore because the fuel cost increased sharply."
Some routes witnessed unofficial fare increases. From Wednesday morning, the fare on the Chingrighata–SDF route rose by Rs 3 per passenger, increasing the cost from Rs 15 to Rs 18. Passengers in Boral and Garia also alleged that drivers charged Rs 10 to Rs 15 extra during evening hours.
Government Response and Commuter Experiences
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking at Nabanna, acknowledged reports of fare increases and stated that the government has asked fuel suppliers to ensure drivers are "not robbed of their livelihood but I strongly feel that this is not the time for a fare hike."
Commuters expressed frustration over the shortage of autos, which significantly increased waiting times at major stands. Sutirtha Banerjee, a resident of Silpara, shared, "I had to wait for over 40 minutes at Tollygunge Metro to get an auto for Sakherbazar." This sentiment echoed across the city, highlighting the broader impact on daily life and mobility.
The crisis underscores the vulnerability of Kolkata's public transport system to fuel price fluctuations, calling for urgent measures to stabilize supply and support both drivers and commuters in navigating these challenging times.
