Mumbai — Compressed natural gas (CNG) supply across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai was disrupted on Sunday following damage to a key gas pipeline, triggering long queues at pumps and a spike in ride-hailing fares. The disruption impacted thousands of vehicles, including autorickshaws, taxis, Ola and Uber cars, and some CNG-run buses.

Cause of the Disruption
Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) reported that the supply disruption occurred due to third-party damage to GAIL’s main gas pipeline inside the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertiliser (RCF) compound. The damage affected gas supply to MGL’s City Gate Station (CGS) at Wadala, which serves as the central hub for distribution in the city.

The company warned that CNG stations across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai may not operate until the pipeline is repaired.

Impact on Vehicles and Prices
The reduced gas supply forced many CNG pumps to shut down or operate at low capacity, creating long queues across the city. Mumbai has approximately 130–140 CNG pumps, including MGL’s own facilities, many of which went non-functional due to low gas pressure.

The shortage also led to a surge in fares on aggregator platforms. For example, a trip from Mira Road to BKC that usually costs ₹400–₹450 rose to ₹550, later surpassing ₹600.

Advice to Industrial and Commercial Users
MGL has advised industrial and commercial customers to switch to alternate fuels until the pipeline is repaired and supply is restored. A company spokesperson confirmed that the network will be normalised once the damage is rectified.

Summary
The pipeline damage has exposed the city’s heavy dependence on CNG, highlighting the vulnerability of transport and commercial operations to single-point infrastructure disruptions. Long queues, price surges, and temporary pump closures are expected to persist until MGL restores normal supply.