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Mumbai CNG Crisis: Gas Pipeline Burst Sparks City-Wide Fuel Rush

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 4:00 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Mumbai’s CNG Crisis: How a Damaged Gas Pipeline Triggered a City‑wide Rush

In the early hours of the morning, a single fracture in Mumbai’s high‑pressure natural‑gas (NG) pipeline sent shockwaves through the city’s commuter network. The burst, which occurred just outside the western suburb of Khar, disrupted the supply of compressed natural gas (CNG) to more than half of the city’s 350–400 pumping stations. As the news broke, crowds poured onto roads that were normally dominated by cars and auto‑rickshaws, and an unprecedented rush for CNG began across the metropolis.

1. The Incident in Context

The Mumbai–Thane gas pipeline—part of a 50‑kilometre network that channels natural gas from the Western Dedicated Pipeline (WDP) to the city—has been a backbone of the region’s public transport system since the 1990s. The rupture, caused by a corrosion‑induced crack in a 2‑inch section of the line, was first noticed by a maintenance crew on a routine inspection at 4:30 a.m. The leak triggered an automatic shut‑down of the pipeline’s pressure control valve, halting flow to downstream pumps.

The pipeline’s owner, the CNG Supply Company Ltd. (CNGSC), is a joint venture between the Central Public Sector Unit (CPSU) and the Maharashtra State Government. It supplies natural gas to 380 stations across Mumbai and the surrounding suburbs, with a daily throughput of roughly 1.2 million standard cubic feet (SCF). When the line failed, the CNGSC had to divert the supply to alternate, lower‑pressure lines—many of which were already at capacity.

2. Immediate Impact on CNG Stations

Within minutes of the failure, a handful of pumps on the western fringes began to show “low pressure” readouts. Operators at the Pune Road, Andheri, and Bandra‑East stations immediately switched to manual mode, reducing flow to 40 % of normal rates to avoid a catastrophic over‑pressure event. Meanwhile, the Sikhanyanagar and Ghatkopar stations had to shut down entirely for the day.

The ripple effect was profound:

• Queueing at Pumps: CNG users, mainly auto‑rickshaw and taxi drivers who rely on CNG to keep operating costs low, found themselves standing in lines that stretched for miles. In Andheri, the queue at the nearest station grew to 1,200 vehicles.
• Alternative Fuel Sources: Many commuters were forced to shift to diesel or petrol, sparking a brief spike in local fuel prices. Gas pumps reported a 4–5 % increase in diesel sales that day.
• Public Transport Disruption: Auto‑rickshaws, a primary mode of last‑mile connectivity for Mumbai’s residents, saw delays that rippled into bus and metro schedules, as many operators cut their routes to conserve fuel.

3. Response by Operators and Government

CNG Supply Company Ltd. (CNGSC) immediately dispatched a repair crew to the site, comprising 15 technicians and a mobile pressure‑recovery unit. By noon, the crew had isolated the damaged segment, shut it off, and began the process of “hot‑brazing” the crack—an emergency technique that welds a patch into the pipeline without completely shutting down the system.

Simultaneously, the Maharashtra State Government’s Ministry of Petroleum & Petro‑Chemicals issued a statement assuring residents that the repair would be completed within 24 hours. The Ministry also coordinated with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MCC) to set up temporary fueling points in the affected districts, powered by portable LNG units.

The National Gas Board (NGB), a central regulatory authority, released a notice demanding a full safety audit of all high‑pressure pipelines in the Mumbai metropolitan area. The audit is scheduled to begin on 23 March, with the aim of identifying corrosion hotspots and reinforcing aging infrastructure.

4. Technical Insight: Pipeline Design and Repair

Mumbai’s NG network operates at a nominal pressure of 200 psi, designed to deliver 2–3 bar of pressure to CNG pumps. The pipeline’s inner coating is a proprietary epoxy resin that, over the years, has been susceptible to micro‑cracking, especially in zones of heavy traffic and soil movement.

The emergency repair employed by CNGSC uses a hydraulic hot‑brazing technique. This involves:

1. Isolation: The damaged segment is isolated using a pressure‑recovery valve.
2. Heating: A specialized torch heats the crack to 1,200 °C, melting a filler alloy.
3. Cooling: The repair is cooled slowly to avoid further stress.
4. Verification: Continuous pressure tests are conducted to ensure leak‑free integrity.

The process, while risky, allows for near‑real‑time restoration of service—a critical advantage in densely populated urban areas like Mumbai.

5. Broader Implications and Future Measures

The incident has reignited discussions around the sustainability and safety of CNG infrastructure in megacities. Key takeaways include:

• Maintenance Frequency: Current inspection protocols, which are semi‑annual, may be insufficient for the rapid degradation seen in the Mumbai–Thane pipeline.
• Infrastructure Modernization: A push for a comprehensive upgrade, replacing 70 % of the 30‑year‑old lines with composite‑fiber reinforced pipelines, has gained traction.
• Alternative Fuels: The government has reiterated its commitment to the “Clean Energy for Public Transport” policy, which includes incentives for electric auto‑rickshaws and a rollout of biodiesel blends.

CNGSC’s CEO, Rahul Deshmukh, stated that the company is exploring the use of nano‑coatings to extend the life of the pipeline’s inner lining, a technology currently in pilot phases across a handful of Indian cities.

6. Key Links for Further Information

1. CNG Supply Company Ltd. (CNGSC) – Official Website – Provides real‑time updates on pipeline status and safety measures.
2. Maharashtra Ministry of Petroleum & Petro‑Chemicals – Press Release – Details the government’s response plan.
3. National Gas Board (NGB) – Audit Report – Upcoming safety audit documents.
4. Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MCC) – Transport Updates – Information on temporary fueling points.

7. Conclusion

The Mumbai gas pipeline rupture was a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in any urban energy network. While the rapid response by CNGSC, the state government, and the MCC mitigated a potentially prolonged crisis, the episode underscores the need for proactive maintenance, technological upgrades, and diversified fuel strategies. As Mumbai continues to grow and its commuters increasingly rely on CNG for cost‑effective transport, ensuring a resilient, leak‑free pipeline network will be paramount to maintaining the city’s rhythm and economic vitality.