An autorickshaw driver says that gas gives more mileage than petrol and is also cheaper than the latter.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the hike in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, autorickshaw drivers in the city are worried if they will get uninterrupted gas supplies.K. Vijay, who operates an LPG-run autorickshaw, said their rides will be affected if LPG is not available. “We have a petrol tank of just three litres, which can be used only in case of emergencies, like if the vehicle runs out of gas. Otherwise, gas gives us a mileage of around 22 km/kg, which is cheaper than petrol, which gives 10-12 km per litre,” he said.Muthukumaran, another autorickshaw driver, said that unlike tea shops or eateries, they cannot use gas cylinders in case of emergencies. “The government has increased the price of even domestic cylinders despite it being election time, which only shows how serious this war is and what kind of an impact it will have on us. LPG prices should not be increased for the sake of our livelihoods,” he said.S. Balasubramaniam, honorary president, Tamil Nadu Auto Thozhilalargal Sammelanam, said that already one auto LPG brand had increased its prices by ₹5/litre.“One cannot stock LPG like petrol/diesel. If this continues, we will end up like Sri Lanka or even worse. The government has only been managing the situation till now. As it is, we do not have enough bunks selling LPG or CNG in the city,” he said.Jude Mathews of the Tamil Nadu Independent Taxi Drivers’ Association said the situation was worrisome. “Some people I know have bought diesel and stocked it for use in case of emergencies. But that cannot be done in the case of LPG. The government should step in and bring in some resolution,” he said.A retail fuel outlet owner said that as of now, there was no pressure to ration auto LPG. “I am concerned how the prices of auto LPG would be once we get the gas at the current market rates.” Published - March 08, 2026 01:04 am IST
