3 to 5 Hours in CNG Queues: Pune Dealers Seek Immediate Action From Petroleum Ministry

Pune, 12th August 2026: CNG consumers in Pune are facing waiting times of up to five hours at peak periods, prompting the Petrol Dealers Association Pune (PDAP) to seek urgent intervention from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) to address pressure on the city’s CNG distribution network.

A PDAP delegation led by President Dhruv Ruparel met MoPNG Joint Secretary (Gas Pricing) Alok Tripathi and Director Vikas Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday to highlight the problems faced by CNG consumers and dealers in Pune.

Senior officials from GAIL and Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL), including MNGL’s Managing Director, Commercial Director and other members of its leadership team, also participated in the discussions.

According to PDAP, Pune has around 7.5 lakh CNG vehicles and 133 CNG dispensing stations. The Association said the mismatch between vehicle numbers and available infrastructure has resulted in low gas pressure, inadequate dispensing capacity, repeated dry-outs at DBS stations and long queues.

PDAP said its data collected from dealers across Pune indicates that CNG users are waiting for a minimum of three hours for refuelling, with waiting times extending to four to five hours during peak periods.

The Association said the prolonged queues are particularly affecting auto-rickshaw drivers, taxi operators, commercial vehicle owners and other daily commuters who depend on CNG for their livelihoods and transportation.

According to PDAP, dealers themselves have no control over key factors such as gas pressure, pipeline capacity, compressor loading, gas allocation or expansion of CNG infrastructure. Despite this, dealers face public complaints, traffic congestion, law-and-order concerns and regulatory notices when supply-related problems occur.

PDAP told the Ministry that the rapid growth in CNG vehicles has not been matched by expansion of the supporting infrastructure, placing increasing pressure on the existing distribution network.

Following the discussions, MoPNG directed MNGL to prepare a comprehensive action plan to address the concerns. The Ministry also said it would review MNGL’s progress after one week.
“Pune needs infrastructure, not assurances. Citizens should not have to waste three to five hours merely to refill CNG,” said PDAP President Dhruv Ruparel after the meeting.

He said the prolonged queues were affecting the earnings of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers and causing hardship to thousands of residents.
PDAP said it would monitor the implementation of the action plan and continue discussions with the concerned authorities until improvements are seen in CNG availability, network pressure, waiting times and infrastructure capacity.