Commercial car on big queue for CNG pump

Long queues of commercial vehicles at CNG pumps are currently a major issue in several Indian cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad. These delays, often lasting two to four hours, significantly impact taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers by reducing their daily trips and earnings.

Key Reasons for Long CNG Queues
Supply Disruptions: Recent issues include damage to major pipelines (like the GAIL pipeline in Mumbai) and global supply chain concerns stemming from regional conflicts.
Infrastructure Lag: The rapid adoption of CNG vehicles has outpaced the construction of new filling stations and the expansion of the gas pipeline network.
Longer Refueling Time: Filling a CNG tank naturally takes longer than petrol or diesel, leading to inherent bottlenecks at busy stations.
Panic Buying: Anticipated shortages due to external conflicts or maintenance work often trigger surges in demand, as seen recently in Kolkata

Impact on Commercial Drivers
Loss of Earnings: Drivers report losing multiple rides per day while waiting to refuel, sometimes spending their entire morning in line.
Operational Shifts: Some drivers are forced to switch to more expensive petrol just to avoid queues, while others may demand higher fares to compensate for lost time.
Traffic Congestion: Large queues often spill onto main roads, causing local traffic jams