Mumbai CNG Supply Hit: Full Restoration Likely by Tomorrow, MGL Says

Mumbai — Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) supply across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai has been disrupted after a pipeline belonging to GAIL (Gas Authority of India) was damaged. The rupture inside a chemical plant has forced all 486 CNG stations in the region to halt operations, threatening to bring public transport to a standstill.

What Caused the Disruption

According to Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL), a third-party contractor accidentally damaged a critical gas pipeline located within the compound of Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilisers (RCF) at Chembur. This pipeline feeds MGL’s city gate station at Wadala, and the cut in supply has directly impacted its network. MGL has confirmed that while CNG stations are affected, piped natural gas (PNG) supply to households remains a top priority and is being maintained without interruption.

The Impact on Transport

The shutdown has severely hit the city’s auto-rickshaws, taxis, and CNG buses. With refuelling stations shut, many vehicles are stranded or off the road. Ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber are also seeing fewer active CNG vehicles, leading to surge pricing because drivers can’t fill up.

MGL has advised industrial and commercial users in the affected zones to switch to alternative fuels until the issue is resolved.

When Will Things Return to Normal

MGL has expressed optimism that full CNG supply will be restored by tomorrow. Officials say repair work at the damaged pipeline is underway, and once gas flow to the Wadala station is reestablished, the company’s network can be recharged. MGL regrets the inconvenience caused and has asked for patience from commuters and stakeholders.

Expert & Official Response

• Authorities are coordinating closely with GAIL’s technical teams to fast-track repair.
• MGL has emphasised that its repair teams are working non-stop to bring the system back online.
• The company also said it regrets the disruption and will continue updating the public as supply returns.

What This Means for Everyday Life

• Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers may struggle to operate until supply returns.
• Commuters relying on CNG-powered public transport risk facing limited services or higher fares.
• Households using piped gas are relatively unaffected for now, but the crisis could highlight risks in fuel infrastructure.

Conclusion

The sudden CNG outage in Mumbai has spotlighted how fragile fuel supply systems can be. A single pipeline rupture has shut down hundreds of refuelling stations and disrupted transport across the city. MGL’s reassuring update about a full restoration by tomorrow brings hope, but the incident also underlines the need for more resilient infrastructure and better safeguards.