Auto LPG scarcity leaves drivers in a limbo

Auto LPG scarcity in Tiruchi leaves 9,000 autorickshaw drivers struggling, facing fuel shortages and rising prices amid crisis.

An acute shortage of auto LPG in Tiruchi has left thousands of autorickshaw drivers struggling to keep their vehicles on the road, with several fuel stations reporting exhausted stocks and drivers alleging that some outlets are charging unfairly higher prices amid the conflict in West Asia.

Of the roughly 15,000 autorickshaws operating in Tiruchi, nearly 9,000 run on auto LPG while around 2,000 depend on conventional LPG and the remaining vehicles operate on diesel. In recent years, several mini-trucks transporting vegetables to the Gandhi Market have shifted from diesel to gas to cut operating costs, increasing dependence on LPG supplies.

However, drivers say the sudden disruption in supplies has pushed them into an unprecedented crisis.

R. Amuthan, an autorickshaw driver from Manapparai, said he had exhausted the LPG in his vehicle. “I have searched several bunks but none have gas. Some people are selling in the black market at a much higher rate. My auto loan is already pending and I have to support a family of four. If this continues, it will become impossible for us to manage in the coming days,” he said.

Drivers allege that a few stations have raised prices significantly. Mohammad Aliyar, coordinator of Tiruchi Meter Auto Pvt. Ltd., said only one bunk in the city was supplying LPG on Thursday. “Drivers have to wait for two hours to refill. Yesterday, the rate was increased by ₹4 per litre and on Friday it was raised by about ₹6.10. The price has gone up to around ₹67.40 per litre. This is an unfair increase taking advantage of the crisis,” he said.

Trade union leaders say the continued shortage could have wider repercussions.