Bengaluru Auto Drivers Hit By Double LPG Blow, Commuter Wait Times To Get Longer

Last Updated:April 01, 2026, 15:37 IST

Auto-rickshaw driver grappling crisis: Long queues, stretching up to several kilometres, have been reported at multiple filling stations.

Auto-rickshaw drivers in Bengaluru are grappling with a twin crisis as soaring LPG prices coincide with a sharp drop in fuel availability across the city, severely impacting daily operations.

The price of auto LPG has surged dramatically in recent days. In areas such as Peenya 2nd Stage, rates have shot up to as high as Rs 105 per litre, compared to nearly Rs 58 before the onset of the ongoing West Asia conflict. Even in other parts of the city, including Rajajinagar, prices have risen steeply from around Rs 80 to nearly Rs 89.52 per litre.

Compounding the issue is an acute shortage of LPG supply. Long queues, stretching up to several kilometres, have been reported at multiple filling stations, including Mahadevapura (Hoodi), Hesaraghatta 8th Mile, Sheshadripuram, Rajajinagar and TC Palya’s Ayyappanagar. Many drivers have been lining up as early as 7am, with queues spilling onto both sides of the roads and causing localised traffic disruptions.

In several instances, drivers have been forced to push their autos to fuel stations after running out of gas mid-route, highlighting the severity of the situation. At some bunks, supply has been rationed to about Rs 400 worth of LPG per vehicle due to overwhelming demand, while a few stations have temporarily shut operations after running dry.

While the state government has maintained that there is no shortage, drivers and fuel station operators paint a different picture. Daily supply at several outlets is said to have nearly halved, from around 12,000 litres to roughly 6,000 litres, leading to longer wait times and uncertainty over availability.

Industry sources indicate that disruptions in global supply chains, coupled with panic refuelling amid geopolitical tensions, have intensified the crisis. Some dealers have also flagged irregular supply schedules and logistical bottlenecks, which have further strained distribution.

The situation has left thousands of auto drivers in distress, with many reporting loss of income due to time spent waiting in queues and reduced working hours. Commuters, too, are beginning to feel the ripple effects, with longer wait times for autos and a possible increase in fares if the crisis persists.

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