Kolkata is facing a massive fuel crisis, leaving auto and taxi drivers in utter despair. Long queues, stretching up to 1.5 kilometers, have become a common sight outside fuel pumps in areas like Bengal Chemicals and Salt Lake City Centre. Many drivers are arriving as early as 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM, spending the night inside their vehicles just to secure a refill, only to often be told that the stock has run out.

Pump attendants report that fuel supply has dropped to less than half of the daily requirement. While many drivers switched to CNG for better mileage—18-20 km per liter compared to 11-13 km with petrol—the current scarcity has left them stranded. To make matters worse, the price of LPG has spiked by 5 rupees per liter, jumping from 57.68 rupees to 62.68 rupees. With dwindling daily earnings and rising operational costs, the city’s transport workforce is now struggling to make ends meet, fearing for their livelihoods.