Mumbai’s Transport Network Grinds to a Halt as CNG Supply Snaps at Wadala Station
(Deepak Joshi) via Indian Express
Mumbai, November 2025: A sudden and unprecedented CNG supply disruption threw Mumbai’s Monday morning commute into chaos, leaving thousands of commuters stranded across the city. The crisis began on Sunday afternoon after a key GAIL pipeline inside the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) compound was damaged, cutting off supply to Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL)’s City Gate Station in Wadala — the main entry point feeding CNG to Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai.
In a late-night statement, MGL confirmed the outage, stating the interruption was due to “third-party damage in the main gas supply pipeline of GAIL inside the RCF compound.” While domestic piped natural gas (PNG) supply was prioritised, industrial and commercial users were advised to shift to alternative fuels.
However, MGL has not yet provided a timeline for restoring supply, leaving drivers, transport operators, and commuters unsure when normalcy will return.
Citywide Breakdown: Autos, Taxis, and Cabs Off the Roads
The fuel shortage began impacting transport through the night. By Monday morning:
- Hundreds of auto-rickshaws and taxis stayed off the roads
- App-based cabs were unavailable across key localities
- Many drivers said they ran out of CNG on Sunday evening
- Petrol pumps across the city reported zero gas supply
In Kurla, Santacruz, Sion, Andheri, Chembur and parts of Navi Mumbai, commuters struggled to find any public transport apart from BEST buses, which became the only functioning mass-mobility option.
Kurla Sees Chaos as Thousands Struggle to Reach Offices and Universities
Kurla, one of Mumbai’s busiest interchange points, witnessed severe disruption:
- Bus stops overflowed
- Long queues stretched onto roads
- Commuters waited 20–40 minutes for buses
- Jam-packed buses slowed overall traffic
Priya Patil, a student travelling from Kurla to Kalina, described the ordeal:
“There were no autos anywhere. The buses were packed, and I had to force my way in. A journey that usually takes 15 minutes took almost 40.”
Office-goers headed towards BKC, airport-linked commercial zones, and major hospitals were left scrambling for buses, many of which bypassed stops due to overcrowding.
Auto Drivers Say They Are Helpless: “We Have No Option But to Park Our Autos”
Drivers who depend exclusively on CNG said they had no choice but to remain idle.
Sameer Shaikh, an auto driver operating near Kurla West, said:
“Passengers were pleading for rides, but what can we do? There is no CNG. We are just sitting in our autos, helpless.”
Shaikh said he waited 1.5 hours at a petrol pump, but no supply arrived.
Another auto driver, Imran Khan, said the outage is causing financial distress:
“People think we are refusing passengers. We can’t even start our vehicles. The whole city is waiting for gas.”
Santacruz Petrol Pump Sees 100-Metre-Long Queue Before Sunrise
One of the clearest visuals of the crisis emerged from a pump in Santacruz, where nearly 100 cars, autos, and app-based cabs queued up before dawn hoping for CNG.
Residents reported:
- Queues spilled onto the main road
- Vehicles blocked lanes, slowing morning traffic
- No supply arrived despite hours of waiting
Rakesh Pawar, an Ola driver who queued from 6 am, said:
“Everyone thought supply would start in the morning. But the pump has been dry since yesterday. The entire line has not moved.”
Students and Office-Goers Describe the Morning as an ‘Unannounced Transport Shutdown’
Thousands of students travelling to college hubs in Kalina, Sion, Matunga, Churchgate, and Andheri were affected.
Sahil Jadhav, who commutes from Santacruz to the Kalina campus, said:
“It felt like an unannounced transport shutdown. People were running behind buses. Even the usually light morning buses were overflowing.”
Office workers headed to Lower Parel, Powai, Andheri MIDC and Fort reported missing meetings, delayed supervisor calls and two-hour commutes for 20-minute distances.
MGL Prioritises Domestic Gas; No Timeline for Resumption Yet
MGL has maintained uninterrupted domestic PNG supply, calling it a priority.
However:
- No estimated restoration time has been given
- Technical assessment is underway
- GAIL is working on pipeline repair inside the RCF compound
- Industrial and commercial users remain offline
- Localised fuel pumps may remain dry for several hours or even a full day
Transport unions said they will wait for official communication before resuming normal services.
Impact Across Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)
The outage affected:
- Mumbai city and suburbs
- Navi Mumbai (Vashi, Nerul, Airoli)
- Thane city and outskirts
- Eastern corridor (Ghatkopar, Chembur, Mankhurd)
- Western suburbs (Bandra, Santacruz, Andheri, Goregaon)
Early morning traffic apps showed over 30% more congestion compared to typical Monday levels.
Why the Disruption Matters
1. Transport Dependency
Mumbai’s mobility ecosystem relies heavily on CNG autos, taxis, and cabs. Even a brief outage can paralyse movement.
2. Safety and Infrastructure Concerns
“Third-party damage” inside a restricted industrial compound raises questions about pipeline safety protocols.
3. Economic Impact
Gig workers, delivery executives, cab drivers, and small businesses face immediate income loss.
4. Public Mobility Pressure
BEST buses alone cannot handle peak-hour rush across a city of 2 crore residents.
What Happens Next
- GAIL teams continue repair work
- MGL expected to issue an updated advisory
- Transport dependence will shift temporarily to BEST buses, metro, and local trains
- Commuters may face similar disruptions until supply stabilises
- Drivers expect normalcy only after pumps receive fresh stock
The city’s civic agencies are monitoring the ripple effects on traffic, hospitals, and corporate zones.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Mumbai’s Monday chaos highlights a critical vulnerability in the city’s energy and transport infrastructure — a single pipeline disruption can halt mobility for lakhs of people. As GAIL works to restore supply and MGL manages priority allocations, commuters and drivers continue to wait for clarity. Until then, the city’s dependence on public buses and overcrowded transit corridors is likely to persist.
TheTrendingPeople.com will continue tracking this developing story and provide real-time updates as agencies issue further statements.