Auto LPG Shortage Forces 20,000 Chennai Autos Off the Roads

Around 20,000 autorickshaws remained off the roads in Chennai and surrounding suburbs for the second consecutive day on March 12, 2026, as a severe shortage of Auto LPG (automotive liquefied petroleum gas) continued to disrupt operations. Trade unions, including the CITU Auto Employees Union, reported that the fuel crunch—linked to broader supply disruptions from geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly the U.S.-Iran conflict affecting global energy flows—has forced many drivers to park their vehicles, leading to long queues at refilling stations and significant inconvenience for commuters.

Union leaders estimated that Chennai has approximately 1.3 lakh autorickshaws, with about 60% running on Auto LPG (often dual-fuel models capable of switching to petrol in emergencies) and the remaining 40% on CNG. The shortage has hit LPG-dependent autos hardest, as bunk owners and distributors face limited supplies, with some stations running dry quickly due to high demand and panic buying. Drivers have been waiting for hours to refill, and a considerable number of cabs have also stayed off the roads in Chennai, as well as parts of Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur districts, exacerbating the transport crisis in the region.

The impact extends beyond individual livelihoods, as autorickshaws serve as a vital, affordable mode of transport for daily commuters, students, and workers in the bustling southern metropolis. With fewer vehicles available, passengers face longer waits at stands, especially during peak hours, and some have reported higher fares from the limited operating autos. The situation mirrors similar disruptions in other cities like Bengaluru and Kolkata, where LPG and CNG shortages have reduced vehicle availability by significant margins amid the same external pressures on imports and domestic allocation priorities.

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Authorities and fuel companies have yet to announce immediate relief measures specific to Auto LPG, though the central government has formed committees to address commercial LPG issues in hospitality sectors and directed refineries to ramp up production. Union representatives have urged swift intervention to restore supplies, warning that prolonged shortages could lead to sustained income losses for thousands of drivers and further strain urban mobility. As the crisis persists into the new financial year, the fuel crunch highlights the vulnerability of essential transport services to global energy volatilities.

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