What Happened
There has been a significant disruption in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) supply across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai. The cause: damage to a major gas pipeline owned by GAIL, located inside the RCF (Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilisers) compound. This damage has cut off gas flow to Mahanagar Gas Limited’s (MGL) City Gate Station in Wadala.
Impact on Public Transport
Because of this pipeline break, many CNG stations, especially those used by public transport like autos, taxis, and buses, are unable to operate. Drivers have reported fuel shortages, leading to long queues and even some vehicles going off the roads. The disruption is particularly severe for CNG-fueled taxis and public transport services.
What MGL Is Doing
MGL has stated that domestic (household) piped natural gas (PNG) supply will continue without interruption — homes are being given top priority. For industrial and commercial users in the affected zones, the company has advised temporarily switching to alternate fuels until the issue is resolved.
Repairs and Restoration
Repair teams are working actively to fix the damaged pipeline. According to MGL, gas supplies across their network will gradually normalize once the pipeline is repaired and the supply to the Wadala City Gate Station is fully restored. The company has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to commuters and other users.
Broader Concerns
This incident highlights how centralized gas infrastructure can pose risks: a single point of failure (like a pipeline damage) can cause a wide-scale impact on a major metropolitan area. It emphasizes the need for better redundancy in gas networks and stronger emergency response plans.
