A significant disruption in compressed natural gas (CNG) supply across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai on Friday has raised concerns for public transport reliability and fuel availability in the wider metropolitan region. The interruption followed damage to a key trunk pipeline operated by a major gas transmission company within an industrial compound, affecting the flow of natural gas to the primary receiving station serving the city.
According to officials familiar with the situation, the damaged section of the pipeline feeds the main distribution point that supplies CNG to retail stations and commercial users. The disruption has forced several CNG outlets to suspend operations temporarily, leaving taxis, auto-rickshaws and buses—particularly those operated by public transport undertakings—at risk of curtailed services. The incident highlights the region’s dependence on single-source gas infrastructure and the growing need for resilient, decentralised energy systems in dense urban environments. Despite the setback, the city’s piped natural gas (PNG) supply for domestic households remains unaffected. A senior official from the city gas distributor said residential consumers have been prioritised to ensure uninterrupted access to clean cooking energy. “Households have been placed at the highest priority and supply will continue without interruption,” the official noted, adding that the consumer safeguarding protocol is activated in such situations.
Industrial and commercial establishments in affected localities have been advised to temporarily shift to alternative fuels to avoid operational downtime. Industry representatives acknowledged the advisory but stressed that shifting fuels increases operating costs and emissions—a reminder of the need for diversified, cleaner backup energy options as cities aim for low-carbon growth. Repair teams have begun restoration work at the site, with engineers assessing structural damage and safety considerations before reconnecting the network. Officials indicated that normal supply is expected to resume once the pipeline is stabilised and pressure levels at the receiving station return to standard thresholds. The gas distributor has assured that regular updates will be issued as the work progresses.
Urban mobility experts say supply shocks of this nature underline the importance of creating multi-node gas networks, strengthening emergency energy protocols and accelerating electrification of public transport fleets. Such measures, they argue, will help metropolitan regions reduce vulnerability to fossil fuel disruptions while progressing toward sustainable, zero-emission mobility goals. The distributor issued a public notice apologising for the inconvenience and stated it is working closely with the pipeline operator to expedite restoration. While the disruption is temporary, the incident serves as a pointed reminder of the need for resilient, inclusive and sustainable energy infrastructure to support India’s largest urban regions.
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