Bengaluru has 2–2.5 lakh autorickshaws, of which 70,000–80,000 run on LPG and 80,000 to one lakh operate on CNG. Electric autos account for only 15,000–20,000 of the vehicles
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN
Over the past 10 days, LPG prices have surged by nearly ₹30, rising from around ₹55 to about ₹85. CNG prices continue to increase amid thinning fuel banks, creating anxiety among drivers.
According to Tanveer Pasha, president of the Auto Union Federation, the city’s mobility network relies heavily on LPG and CNG-powered vehicles. Bengaluru has 2–2.5 lakh autorickshaws, of which 70,000–80,000 run on LPG and 80,000 to one lakh operate on CNG. Electric autos account for only 15,000–20,000 of the vehicles.
“Fuel supplies in Bengaluru are severely disrupted. We are facing a serious crisis with both LPG and CNG availability. The Central government must step forward and direct State governments to find effective solutions — both to control rising prices and address the worsening supply shortage,” Pasha said.
“If auto and taxi drivers do not receive adequate fuel supply, public transport will be severely affected — impacting not only daily commuters but also the livelihoods of thousands of auto and taxi drivers,” he added.
Already feeling the heat
Drivers say the rapid rise in LPG prices is already beginning to dent their incomes. “So far, there is no issue with CNG, but with LPG there are some issues. The prices have gone up. We haven’t seen such quick price hikes in the past few years,” said a Rapido driver who did not wish to be named.
Unions also said that some drivers are beginning to limit the number of rides they accept in order to cushion the impact of higher fuel expenses.
The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) have warned that fuel supply disruptions could affect gig workers across sectors.
Thousands of drivers operating LPG and CNG vehicles on ride-hailing platforms depend on uninterrupted access to affordable fuel to sustain their daily livelihood, the unions said, warning that any disruption could lead to long queues at fuel stations, fewer trips and immediate income loss.
The impact may extend beyond mobility. Delivery workers associated with food platforms could also face challenges if restaurants and cloud kitchens experience LPG shortages, reducing food preparation capacity and order volumes.
No disruption so far
Despite the concerns raised by unions and drivers, ride-hailing platforms said they have not yet seen any disruption.
“So far, we haven’t received any concerns from driver partners. However, we remain closely engaged with the driver community and continuously work with them to address any issues that may arise. If we do receive feedback or complaints, we will ensure that they are resolved promptly and provide the necessary support. At this stage, we have also not observed any impact on pricing,” said a spokesperson from Moving Tech, which operates the Namma Yatri platform.
“Rapido is closely monitoring the situation and remains in regular touch with its captain community across cities. Based on current trends, we are not seeing any significant disruption to auto or cab supply on the platform despite reports of an LPG or CNG shortage,” a Rapido spokesperson said.
Unions have urged both Central and State governments to ensure uninterrupted LPG and CNG supply in urban centres and have called on platforms to support drivers with temporary incentives and avoid penalties if disruptions prevent them from completing trips.
Published on March 11, 2026