Hyderabad CNG shortage hits drivers’ income
HYDERABAD: A shortage of compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the city has disrupted the livelihoods of auto-rickshaw and cab drivers. Long queues have formed at fuel stations across the city as supply fails to meet demand.
Drivers spend hours waiting at CNG fuel stations
Most cabs in the city run on CNG. With supply falling short, drivers are spending hours at fuel stations to refill vehicles. Several auto LPG stations have already shut down, while the CNG shortage has forced drivers to queue for kilometres at some outlets.
About 55,000 autos, 135 buses and 2,200 cars in the city run on CNG because it offers better mileage and is considered environment-friendly. Dealers and fuel station operators said the daily demand is about 10 tonnes, but supply currently stands at only 3,500 kg.
Delay in supply from Shamirpet mother station
The delay in the supply chain has worsened the problem. Fuel is transported from the mother station at Shamirpet, where filling a tanker takes about 45 minutes. Transporting the tanker to the city takes around two hours, while unloading at the station takes another one and a half hours.
Each trip takes nearly five to six hours, and a tanker carries only 350–400 kg of CNG. With only about 50 fuel stations across Greater Hyderabad, drivers spend most of their day waiting in queues.
Drivers allege extra charges amid fuel shortage
Drivers alleged that some fuel stations are exploiting the shortage by collecting extra money. Mohammed Subhani, an auto driver, said the official price is ₹96 per kg, but some stations charge an additional ₹10.
Thousands of gig workers driving for companies such as Ola, Uber and Rapido depend on these vehicles for income. Shaik Salauddin, founding president of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, said the shortage has severely affected their livelihoods.
He urged both the Union and state governments to ensure uninterrupted supply and prioritise drivers and delivery workers.
Cab driver Venkatesh said he earlier earned up to ₹2,000 a day, but now spends most of his time waiting at fuel stations and struggles to earn even ₹1,000. Auto driver Balaraju alleged that some stations refuse to fill tanks fully while collecting extra charges.
Auto drivers call protest on March 16
Leaders of the Joint Action Committee of auto drivers’ unions held a meeting at the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) office on Saturday over the LPG and CNG shortage.
They announced a protest at Narayanguda crossroads on Monday demanding a reduction in fuel prices and improved supply. Union leaders B Venkatesham, A Sattireddy, Saleem, Marayya and Janardhan Reddy said protests would intensify during the Assembly session beginning March 16 if the issue remains unresolved.
