Twitter
Advertisement

With fewer pumps, refilling CNG a tough job for autos

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

On Saturday, a few autorickshaw drivers stalled supply of CNG from a CNG pump in Panvel. Reason: according to them local autorickshaws should get priority while refiling the tank.

The local autorickshaw drivers claimed that they have to wait for hours to refill their tank as autos from other areas queue up. Meanwhile, the Panvel city police had to intervene and allowed autorickshaws from other areas to refill their tanks.

Surprisingly, the situation is the same at most CNG pumps as the number of autorickshaws running on CNG has increased, but the number of pumps remains the same. Since it is cost affective and environment-friendly, CNG is chosen over petrol or diesel. Even the regional transport office (RTO) is giving permit to only CNG-run autorickshaws.

In beginning of the year, the Panvel and Vashi RTOs issued around 5,000 fresh auto permits, which have already hit the road. "After RTOs issued only CNG-run autorickshaws, the pressure at the pump has almost doubled," said Mahendra Patil, an auto driver from Belapur.

It can be recalled that a recent strike at a few CNG pump in the city created huge problems for autorickshaw drivers as they had to rush to other areas to refill their tank. And so they ended up waiting for hours in the queue at pump.

In areas such as Uran, Taloja, Panvel and Khanda Colony do not have adequate number of CNG pumps to facilitate faster service to autos. In absence of adequate number pumps, autos have to go other areas to refill their tank.

"We have to go other areas to refill tank for several reasons. Sometimes, there is a long queue while sometime, there is no gas or low pressure," said Anant Mhadik, another rickshaw driver from Uran, who was at Belapur pump to refill the tank.

At present, both in Vashi and Panvel, there are more than 20,000 autos. Of this, 90% run on CNG and they have to refill tank everyday from around 18 pumps spread from across the city. "With fewer number of pumps, autorickshaw drivers have to wait to get their chance to refill tank," said another auto driver.

The worst-affected auto drivers are from Uran, who have to come to Navi Mumbai, and on their way back, they exhaust CNG. So, they cannot run their autos in the second shift. "We have lost business as well as money because of fewer number CNG stations," said Mhadik.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement