CNG Shortage Fuels Protest by Kolkata Cabbies
Cab drivers operating CNG-run vehicles in Kolkata took to the streets on Monday, blocking a fuel station in Beliaghata to express their frustration over the persistent unavailability of the clean fuel. Over 30 app cab drivers and commercial vehicle operators joined forces to block the road in front of the fuel station, initially preventing motorists from entering and later attempting to obstruct a portion of the main thoroughfare. Their demands centered on resolving the ongoing CNG crisis.
The protest was triggered by the incomplete CNG pipelines that have delayed Kolkata’s transition to the greener fuel option. With approximately 5,000 CNG vehicles in the city, including a substantial number of app cabs, the nine CNG stations have been struggling to meet the demand. Indranil Banerjee, General Secretary of the West Bengal Online Cab Operators Guild, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that cabbies are often forced to drive long distances to Ankurhati or Kolaghat to fill their tanks.
Kolkata and Bidhannagar police promptly responded to the protest, and the blockade was lifted later in the afternoon. Despite the temporary disruption, the incident underscores the urgent need to address the CNG shortage in Kolkata, ensuring a reliable supply of the clean fuel to support the city’s growing number of CNG-powered vehicles.
