Chennai Autorickshaw Drivers Grapple with Severe LPG Fuel Shortage Crisis
In Chennai, a critical fuel shortage has left hundreds of autorickshaw drivers stranded, with long queues stretching up to one kilometer outside fuel stations on Thursday. Many outlets, particularly private ones, have shut down due to the non-availability of LPG, forcing drivers to endure waits of up to four hours under scorching sun conditions.
Drivers Voice Frustration Over Extended Delays and Livelihood Impacts
Auto drivers from areas like Guindy, Kilpauk, and Avadi reported significant hardships. Panneerselvam, an auto driver from Avadi, shared his ordeal: "I arrived around 8 am and still hadn't refilled by noon. We had to push our vehicles over a kilometer. How can we work and earn a living after such long waits in this heat?" This crisis, which began a week ago, has now affected the entire fleet of LPG-powered autorickshaws in the city.
Limited Supply and Overpricing Exacerbate the Situation
With only 38 LPG fuel stations serving approximately 40,000 LPG autos in Chennai, the shortage is acute. Drivers revealed that private outlets had been selling LPG at around ₹100 per kg in the past week, leaving them with no choice but to pay inflated prices without passing costs to passengers. Now, even these private stations have closed, citing LPG shortages. Only Indian Oil outlets continue to refill LPG, but drivers must rely on word-of-mouth updates from fellow auto drivers to locate available stock.
This is not the first time Chennai has faced such issues; in March, drivers staged protests against overpricing by private outlets during an initial LPG shortage linked to the West Asia crisis. The current situation highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in the city's fuel supply chain, impacting daily earnings and transportation services.
