Bengaluru: A severe shortage of Auto LPG across the city has pushed auto drivers into distress, with long queues stretching for kilometres outside gas stations and many drivers forced to wait for days to refuel.
For over a week now, auto drivers have been lining up outside LPG outlets across areas such as Yelahanka, BTM Layout, Rajajinagar, and Marathahalli, hoping to get fuel. However, the situation has shown little improvement, with supply failing to meet demand.
At a gas station in Yelahanka Main Road, queues of autos extended up to two kilometres. Many drivers revealed that they had been waiting since the previous night, sleeping inside their vehicles and managing daily routines on the roadside just to secure fuel.
Drivers narrated their hardships, saying they have not returned home for two to three days as they cannot afford to go back empty-handed. Some said they have been moving across different parts of the city in search of LPG, but with little success.
Ramesh, an auto driver from BTM Layout, shared his emotional ordeal, stating that he has a family dependent on his daily earnings. “I cannot go home empty-handed. My children wait for me every day. Without fuel, I have no work and no income,” he said.
Similar distress was echoed by other drivers like Suresh, Imran, Prakash, and Nadeem from different parts of the city, highlighting the widespread impact of the crisis.
The shortage is reportedly linked to disruptions in commercial gas supply, which had earlier affected hotels and small businesses in Bengaluru. Now, the crisis has extended to auto drivers, severely impacting their livelihood.
According to estimates, Bengaluru requires around 45 metric tonnes of Auto LPG daily, but only about 25 metric tonnes are currently being supplied, leaving a deficit of nearly 20 metric tonnes every day.
Several LPG outlets in the city have either shut down temporarily or are operating with limited stock, further worsening the situation.
Auto drivers form a crucial part of Bengaluru’s transport system, providing last-mile connectivity across the city. With the ongoing shortage, their inability to operate is not only affecting their families but also disrupting daily commuting for thousands of passengers.
Authorities have been urged to take immediate steps to address the supply gap and stabilise the situation before it escalates further.
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