The so-called Silicon City of India is now experiencing a severe LPG Gas Emergency, and tens of thousands of autorickshaw drivers are now on the brink of desperation. In Bengaluru, the supply of Auto LPG is down to a very low level where 4 out of every 5 fuel bunks have closed their doors to the public. There is nobody to take on the daily commute and in the end, it's a nightmare for drivers and passengers alike.
Bunks Run Dry Across Major Hubs
The shortage is most acute in central and southern business districts. Bunks in Seshadripuram, Mysore Road, and JC Road have suspended operations entirely. Of the 35,000-45,000 LPG-run autos in the capital, more than 60% are still struggling to get on the road at present.
Price Surge: From ₹60 to ₹105
The economic impact on drivers is devastating. Just a few months ago, Auto LPG was priced at a manageable ₹60 per liter. Now drivers are paying up to ₹105 per liter at private bunks—a 75% increase.
- In general, the mileage of most LPG autos is only 20-30 km per liter.
- No Alternative: Unlike bi-fuel vehicles, these dedicated LPG autos do not have a petrol-run option. When the gas runs out, the vehicle is essentially scrap; it is a stationary object.
The "Super Gas" struggle and Russian Imports
At present, "Super Gas" bunks are among the only ones that are still providing supply. The reason is mostly due to imports from Russia. But even this supply line is under immense pressure:
- Supply gap: Now, the daily demand is about 15,000 liters, but the current supply is only 7,000 liters.
- Dead Stock: About 1,000 liters in every tank is classified as "dead stock" and cannot be pumped out, which reduces the actual gas available to drivers.
Lives in Limbo
But for the thousands of families who depend on auto-rickshaw income, it is bleak. Drivers are spending 5 to 8 hours in serpentine queues stretching up to 2 kilometers and end up empty-handed. “We can't run the meter at these gas prices, and we can’t find gas even if we want to pay. How are we supposed to feed our families?" lamented one driver near Mysore Road.
As the global energy supply chain remains volatile due to the continuing conflicts in West Asia, Bengaluru’s auto drivers are asking for urgent government intervention to subsidize fuel or stabilize the supply chain before the city’s last-mile connectivity fails entirely.
Bengaluru LPG Status At a Glance.
- Active Bunks: Only 20% of LPG bunks are operational.
- Current Rate: ₹105/liter (Private Bunks).
- Major Closed Zones: Seshadripuram, JC Road, Mysore Road.
- Stock Arrival: 50% less than the daily requirement.
It’s a difficult path to take for our city’s “Yellow and Green” lifeline. Could the government speed up their transition of these vehicles to Electric or CNG in order to avoid such frequent energy shocks?
