Bengaluru: Even as state govt maintains that there is no shortage of auto LPG, auto drivers in several parts of the city are reporting difficulties in refuelling.The auto drivers complain supply constraints have forced them to visit multiple bunks and wait in long queues. At several stations, police have stepped in to manage crowds, urging drivers not to block roads while lining up for fuel.Tuesday evening, police directed drivers to move to other stations after a long queue of autorickshaws spilled onto the road near an auto LPG outlet close to Mysuru Satellite Town bus station. In many areas, fuel stations have also put up notices indicating “no stock.”The president of the Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union, CN Sreenivas, said the situation has caused significant hardship. “Drivers are often forced to check three to four stations before finding fuel, and even then have to wait for long periods. The rising cost is another concern. Auto LPG is priced at around Rs 80 per litre at state-run outlets and between Rs 82 and Rs 95 at private stations,” he said, urging authorities to address the issue at the earliest.The auto drivers warn if supply disruptions persist, it could begin to affect their daily earnings and livelihood. As on March 29, the department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs maintained there is no shortage of auto LPG in the state. It stated oil companies are currently supplying an average of 64.9 metric tonnes of auto LPG per day, up from 57.6 metric tonnes before the West Asia conflict.
