A major disruption in CNG supply triggered chaos across Mumbai on Monday, with long queues snaking outside the few operational pumps after a key gas pipeline was damaged, bringing thousands of CNG-run autos, taxis and even BEST buses to a halt. Here are some shots of the chaotic scenes captured by mid-day.com photographers SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI, KIRTI SURVE PARADE, SHADAB KHAN, and ASHISH RAJE
Updated On: 2025-11-17 04:32 PM IST
Compiled by : Divya Nair
Since early morning, Mumbaikars—especially office-goers—reported hour-long waits, cancelled rides, and soaring surge prices on aggregator platforms as several CNG pumps went offline due to sharply reduced gas pressure. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
On X, the Mumbai Traffic Police alerted commuters to the restricted availability, posting: “The CNG gas problem is ongoing, and CNG has been made available only at Goregaon, Ghatkopar, Gorai, Andheri, Pratiksha Nagar, Magathane, Deonar, Central Depot, and Poisar for those who have the CNG BEST APP". SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Commuters expressed frustration online, sharing videos of serpentine lines at functional stations and complaining of two- to three-hour delays on regular office routes. Cabs line up outside a fuel station in Wadala. PIC/KIRTI SURVE PARADE
Many autos stayed off the roads, worsening peak-hour traffic and forcing passengers to rely on overcrowded buses and local trains. PIC/KIRTI SURVE PARADE
The disruption began after GAIL’s main gas supply pipeline inside the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) complex was damaged due to third-party activity, cutting pressure at Mahanagar Gas Limited’s (MGL) Wadala City Gate Station—Mumbai’s crucial supply point. PIC/KIRTI SURVE PARADE
With the impact spilling across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai, several pumps operated at minimal capacity, while many remained shut altogether. Here are more chaotic scenes from Wadala amid the CNG crisis. PIC/SHADAB KHAN
“Mumbai has around 130–140 CNG pumps; a large number have been non-functional since morning,” said Petrol Dealers Association (Mumbai) President Chetan Modi. PIC/SHADAB KHAN
MGL said it has prioritised PNG supply to homes, urging commercial and industrial users to temporarily shift to alternative fuels. “Gas supplies will normalise once the RCF pipeline damage is rectified and flow to CGS Wadala is restored,” the company said, without giving a timeline. PIC/SHADAB KHAN
The petrol pump at Siddhivinayak Temple wears a deserted look amid the CNG crisis. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Meanwhile, Mumbaikars brace for a day of longer travel times, fewer autos and taxis, and gridlocked pumps, as restoration work continues “on a war footing". PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Until 3 pm on Monday, private cabs and rickshaws remained off the roads, leaving commuters stranded. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
A deserted petrol pump in Mahim amid CNG shortage. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
A petrol pump in the western suburbs displays a notice stating the unavailability of CNG. PIC/NIMESH DAVE
By Monday evening, MGL informed that the fuel supply will normalise by Tuesday noon. PIC/NIMESH DAVE
Currently, 225 out of MGL’s 389 CNG stations are functional, it said in a press release. PIC/NIMESH DAVE
