Bhatkal: The ongoing tensions in the Middle East, coupled with disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, have begun to impact local fuel availability, with commercial LPG supply in Bhatkal now severely affected.

On Tuesday afternoon, LPG supply at key fuel stations in the town came to a halt, forcing a large number of auto-rickshaws off the roads and disrupting local transport services. Drivers have been compelled to park their vehicles outside their homes as operations turned unviable.

Auto driver Mohammed Javid Mukri said that nearly 95 per cent of the town’s auto-rickshaws run on LPG, while only about 5 per cent use CNG. He noted that LPG prices, which were around ₹52 per litre before the escalation in the Middle East, surged sharply to ₹85 per litre following the crisis. “Since Tuesday afternoon, LPG has not been available at key fuel stations, leaving us with no option but to suspend services,” he said, adding that more than 50 drivers have already halted operations.

Bhatkal Auto-Rickshaw Union President Venkatesh Naik said the town has around 1,300 auto-rickshaws, of which nearly 1,000 depend on LPG. He said supply remained normal until Tuesday morning but was abruptly halted at two major stations later in the day, forcing many drivers to withdraw their services. However, CNG supply continues, and vehicles with existing LPG reserves are still operating on a limited scale.

With no city bus service in Bhatkal, residents rely heavily on auto-rickshaws for daily commuting. If LPG supply is not restored soon, the disruption could escalate into a major public inconvenience.