LPG Crunch Disrupts Auto Services Across Chennai

An ongoing LPG supply crunch is beginning to disrupt everyday travel across Chennai, as autorickshaw availability drops and commuter wait times stretch significantly.

The issue is being driven by a widening price gap in auto LPG across fuel stations. Only a handful of outlets are offering relatively lower prices, resulting in long queues of autos lining up for refuelling. This has pulled a sizeable number of LPG-run autorickshaws off the roads at any given time, tightening supply-especially during peak hours.

For commuters, the impact has been immediate. Many are struggling to secure rides even after trying multiple platforms like Uber and Ola. At the same time, fares have surged sharply. Short trips that once cost ₹100-₹120 are now frequently priced at ₹180-₹200, reflecting the supply-demand imbalance.

Drivers cite both pricing and access issues. Refuelling at cheaper outlets can take one to two hours due to heavy congestion, while private stations offer faster service at significantly higher rates-cutting into already thin margins. As a result, many drivers are either limiting their trips or temporarily staying off the road.

Oil marketing companies, including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum, have stepped up supplies in urban centres. However, uneven pricing and distribution bottlenecks continue to blunt these efforts.

Authorities have also intensified checks to prevent the diversion of subsidised domestic LPG for commercial use, highlighting underlying stress in the supply chain. While officials maintain that household LPG availability remains largely stable, some regions are reporting delays in cylinder deliveries and tighter monitoring of distribution.

On ride-hailing platforms, the shift is already visible: fewer autos, higher demand per driver, and rising fares-signalling that the LPG crunch is now firmly impacting the daily commute.