Auto-Rickshaw Services Likely to Stall in Bengaluru as Drivers Plan April 10 Strike
Bengaluru autorickshaw drivers plan strike amid severe LPG shortage.
Autorickshaw drivers in Bengaluru have warned of a strike from April 10 in response to a severe shortage of LPG, which has disrupted daily operations across the city and wider Karnataka. Long queues and “no-stock” boards are now common at fuel stations, while black market prices for auto-LPG have surged to ₹110 per litre, significantly above the government-regulated ₹85 rate.
Drivers’ associations say the shortage has made it difficult to operate economically, as most auto-rickshaws run on LPG. Many government-controlled stations, such as those run by IOC and BP, are witnessing queues stretching up to four kilometres, with drivers waiting five to six hours to fill partial tanks. Private LPG stations across the city and state have reportedly shut down entirely.
Karnataka Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, K H Muniyappa, placed responsibility on the Centre for the shortage, claiming the state receives less than 50% of the LPG allocations previously supplied. “The Centre has to release LPG or any other petroleum products. The state monitors distribution, but we are receiving far less than before,” Muniyappa said, adding that authorities are working to mitigate the impact on drivers.
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prahlad Joshi, suggested that autorickshaw drivers temporarily revert to petrol, which is more readily available. However, drivers have raised concerns about cost and logistics, noting that many vehicles were converted entirely to LPG, replacing petrol tanks and carburetors. Restoring petrol functionality could cost between ₹2,500 and ₹5,000, in addition to increased operational expenses.
Out of 372 auto-LPG stations in Karnataka, only 72 are government-operated, while the rest are private. Experts point to global constraints on LPG resources as a factor behind shortages in government-run stations nationwide, but the impact on Bengaluru’s autorickshaw drivers has been particularly severe, leaving many struggling to earn a living.
As the state and Centre continue to exchange blame, autorickshaw associations are preparing for a large-scale strike on April 10. Drivers are demanding urgent resolution of LPG supply issues to avoid operational disruptions, highlighting the broader challenges faced by transport workers amid ongoing fuel shortages.
