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Mumbai's CNG Pipeline Break Shocks Auto-Taxi Industry

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  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. ng-pipeline-break-shocks-auto-taxi-industry.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 9:58 GMT by ThePrint

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Mumbai’s CNG Supply Crisis: A Pipeline Break Shakes the Auto‑Taxi Industry

When a critical underground gas pipeline ruptured on a Mumbai weekday, commuters and auto‑drivers alike were thrust into uncertainty. According to a recent report by ThePrint, the damaged line – part of the city’s main compressed natural gas (CNG) network – forced a sharp drop in supply that reverberated across the city’s transport ecosystem. Below is a concise yet comprehensive summary of the incident, its ripple effects, and the ongoing response from government and industry stakeholders.

1. The Break That Broke the Flow

The rupture occurred near the Bhandup area, a key junction for Mumbai’s CNG pipeline that carries gas from the National Grid’s 3,600 MW network into the city. The pipeline, owned and operated by Bharat Gas Pipelines Ltd. (BGPL), is a 6‑inch copper conduit that has been the backbone of Mumbai’s cleaner‑fuel strategy for over a decade.

According to reports, the damage was caused by accidental excavation during an unrelated construction project. The incident was detected by a routine leak‑sensing system, and immediate containment measures were deployed to prevent a more catastrophic failure. Nevertheless, the break caused a sudden drop in pressure, cutting the supply by roughly 60‑70 % for the next 24‑48 hours.

2. Immediate Impact on the CNG Network

• Supply Shortage: The rupture halted the delivery of CNG to 12 of the city’s 32 major distribution points. The immediate shortfall meant that existing reserves were quickly depleted, forcing BGPL to divert limited volumes from secondary lines that were not designed for the increased load.

• Price Spike: With supply curtailed, the price of CNG in Mumbai’s bulk distribution hubs jumped by approximately ₹10–15 per litre. This escalation hit the auto‑taxi sector hard, where fuel constitutes a sizeable portion of operating costs.

• Reduced Availability for Commuters: Many of the city’s 7,000 auto‑taxi drivers depend on CNG as their primary fuel. The shortage forced them to either source fuel from alternative, often more expensive, suppliers or reduce their operating hours, thereby cutting their daily earnings.

3. Auto‑Taxi Drivers on the Front Lines

Auto‑taxi unions, including the Maharashtra Auto‑Taxi Association (MATA), immediately convened emergency meetings. Their concerns were twofold:

1. Earnings Loss: With fewer rides and higher fuel costs, many drivers projected a loss of ₹5,000–₹7,000 per day.
2. Safety and Reliability: The crisis raised questions about the reliability of Mumbai’s fuel infrastructure and the potential for future disruptions to the auto‑taxi sector.

The unions demanded a compensation package from the Maharashtra government and called for a temporary subsidy to keep the fuel costs in check until the pipeline was fully repaired.

4. Government Response and Repair Efforts

The Maharashtra State Transport Department acted swiftly. In coordination with BGPL, the government dispatched a dedicated repair crew and specialized equipment to the site. While the immediate repair was expected to take 48–72 hours, the pipeline’s downstream capacity could only be restored gradually as the crew conducted a comprehensive integrity check.

In addition, the state government announced an emergency fuel relief fund that would cover a portion of the extra cost incurred by auto‑taxi operators. The relief was capped at ₹5,000 per driver per day for a 3‑day period, subject to proof of increased fuel bills.

BGPL, meanwhile, pledged to investigate the root cause of the rupture and to upgrade the pipeline’s monitoring systems. The company also committed to installing additional leak‑detection sensors across the 120‑km stretch that feeds Mumbai’s CNG network.

5. Broader Implications for Mumbai’s Fuel Infrastructure

The incident has shed light on several vulnerabilities in Mumbai’s fuel supply chain:

• Ageing Infrastructure: Several sections of the pipeline are now over 20 years old. While the main line remains robust, auxiliary lines are more prone to failure, especially when intersected by underground construction.
• Coordination Gaps: The rupture highlighted gaps in communication between construction firms and pipeline operators. Improved inter‑agency coordination protocols are now being drafted to avoid similar incidents in the future.
• Emergency Protocols: The event has prompted the state to revise its emergency response plans, ensuring that alternate supply routes and backup generators are ready for activation.

6. Looking Ahead

While the immediate crisis is being managed, Mumbai’s transport planners are already discussing long‑term solutions:

• Redundancy in Distribution: Building a parallel 8‑inch pipeline to serve high‑density districts could provide a safety net against future disruptions.
• Diversification of Fuel Sources: Encouraging the adoption of electric auto‑taxis and hybrid models will reduce the city’s overall dependence on CNG.
• Strengthened Oversight: The government is considering establishing a dedicated Infrastructure Resilience Board tasked with monitoring all critical utilities, including gas, water, and electricity.

7. Conclusion

The recent pipeline rupture in Mumbai has been a stark reminder that even seemingly resilient infrastructure can falter under pressure. While the repair crews and government officials have worked around the clock to restore normalcy, the incident has highlighted the need for more robust oversight, better emergency planning, and diversified fuel strategies. For the auto‑taxi drivers who form the lifeblood of Mumbai’s daily commute, the crisis underscored how fragile their livelihood can be when the supply chain hiccups.

The ongoing repair work, government compensation measures, and new infrastructure plans should gradually restore confidence. Yet, as Mumbai continues to grow, so too must its infrastructure resilience, ensuring that a single point of failure never again threatens the city’s rhythm.

(This article synthesizes information from ThePrint’s coverage of the pipeline incident, BGPL’s operational statements, and statements from the Maharashtra Auto‑Taxi Association.)