Over 60 CNG Pumps Shut in 2 Gujarat Districts as Dealers Go on Strike

Banaskantha: Motorists are facing inconvenience as around 65 CNG pumps in Banaskantha and the Vav-Tharad districts in North Gujarat remained closed on Wednesday after CNG dealers went on strike over a range of demands, including an increase in commission and timely payment settlements.

The strike began at 6 am after the CNG Dealers Association said repeated representations and an ultimatum to the company had failed to yield a satisfactory response. Dealers said their commission has not been increased since 2020, even as the cost of operating and maintaining CNG stations has continued to rise.

A CNG pump dealer in Tharad said the price of CNG was around Rs 50-52 per kg when the stations were initially started, while it has now risen to around Rs 89 per kg. However, dealers continue to receive commission at the old rate, he said.

The association has sought an increase in dealer commission, timely settlement of delayed payments and financial assistance for branding and station maintenance costs. It has also demanded changes to the approval process for new CNG stations.

Dealers have stated that the company has been given one week to address the demands. If the issues are not resolved within the deadline, the dealers have threatened to extend the strike indefinitely. The dealers have blamed IRM company for the current situation.

Around 2 lakh kg of CNG is sold every day in Banaskantha and the Vav-Tharad areas. The shutdown has particularly affected autorickshaw drivers, Eeco drivers and other motorists who depend on CNG.

The impact is also being felt by motorists travelling through the border areas of Vav and Tharad. Several vehicles travelling towards Ranuja pass through Tharad, forcing motorists to travel longer distances to find CNG stations operating in other areas.

Motorists have also urged the government to intervene in the dispute and help resolve the dealers’ demands so that the CNG pumps can resume operations.

While dealers face financial losses due to the shutdown, motorists are being forced to look for alternative fuel or travel to other areas to refuel. Dealers have also appealed to the company to resolve the issue at the earliest to avoid further inconvenience to the public. DeshGujarat