Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, May 3: Consumers utilizing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for their vehicles have submitted a written plea on Friday April 3, urging authorities to address the prevailing scarcity of CNG in the district.

They highlighted the prolonged waiting times endured by vehicles queued up for CNG. "While the number of CNG-powered vehicles is on the rise in the district, the availability of CNG stations is dwindling," they noted.

The petitioners expressed concern that the current supply of CNG at fuel stations falls short of meeting the escalating demand. Drivers have been forced to endure lengthy waits, lasting four to five hours daily over the past week. This has immobilized auto-rickshaws, leaving them unable to cater to passengers, adversely impacting their livelihoods and jeopardizing their ability to repay bank loans.

In Kundapur, consumers must traverse considerable distances from Byndoor, spanning 30-40 kilometres via Haladi and Amasebail, only to find themselves in lengthy queues upon arrival, with no assurance of CNG availability. They emphasized the urgent need to augment CNG supply to meet the heightened demand, estimating that each fuel station requires four to five additional loads to address the shortfall adequately.

Assurances of prompt action were provided by the deputy commissioner upon receiving the petition.

The petitioners included Krishnamurthy Acharya, Udayakumar Muniyal, CPIM leader Balakrishna Shetty, members of the Auto Rickshaw and Vehicle Drivers' Association from Kundapur and Brahmavar, along with auto-rickshaw drivers and concerned citizens.