CNG Shortage at Paltan Bazar Triggers Traffic Congestion in Guwahati

Long Queues Near Manipuri Basti Fuel Daily Commuter Frustration

Long lines of vehicles have become a daily sight near Manipuri Basti in Paltan Bazar, where a key CNG refill station operated by Purba Bharti Gas Private Limited (PBGPL) is located. The queues, often stretching far beyond the station premises and spilling onto the main road, are contributing to traffic congestion in central Guwahati.

With only three operational CNG refill stations in the city, at Paltan Bazar, Pamohi, and ISBT (Swagat), the Paltan Bazar outlet remains the most accessible for many drivers operating within the city.

Long vehicle queues outside the PBGPL CNG station at Paltan Bazar near Manipuri Basti are causing daily traffic congestion in Guwahati. With only three CNG refill stations across the city, limited supply and high demand are forcing drivers to wait for hours, disrupting key roads and commuter movement.

Why Are Queues Forming?

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) was introduced in Guwahati as a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels. However, supply limitations and limited infrastructure have created bottlenecks.

Key issues include:

• Only three refill stations serve the entire city
• High concentration of CNG vehicles operating in central Guwahati
• Long waiting time for refills
• Spillover of vehicle queues onto arterial roads

Drivers report waiting for extended periods, sometimes several hours, before reaching the dispensing point.

Impact on Traffic in Paltan Bazar

Paltan Bazar is one of Guwahati’s busiest commercial and transit hubs, located near the railway station and key market areas. Vehicle queues extending onto the main road are disrupting regular traffic flow.

Four-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, and commercial vehicles are often seen lined up in a single stretch. During peak hours, this further narrows already congested roads.

The congestion not only affects drivers waiting for CNG but also regular commuters passing through the area.

Limited Alternatives in the City

Apart from Paltan Bazar, CNG refill stations are available at:

• Pamohi
• ISBT (Swagat)

However, drivers operating in central Guwahati find these locations less convenient due to distance and travel time.

This makes the Paltan Bazar station the preferred option for many commercial vehicle operators, particularly those running within city limits.

Clean Fuel Vision vs Ground Reality

The introduction of CNG was projected as a step toward reducing air pollution and promoting environmentally sustainable transport in Guwahati.

However, inadequate infrastructure expansion has created operational challenges. The gap between vehicle adoption and station capacity appears to be contributing to the current situation.

No official statement addressing the queue management or expansion timeline has been detailed at the time of reporting.

What Happens Next?

Addressing the issue may require:

• Expansion of CNG infrastructure
• Addition of more refill stations
• Better traffic regulation around refill points
• Scheduled refill slots or queue management systems

As Guwahati’s vehicle base continues to grow, fuel infrastructure planning will remain critical to avoid recurring congestion.

Why This Matters for Guwahati

Fuel accessibility directly impacts daily commuting and commercial transport. While CNG adoption supports cleaner air goals, infrastructure capacity must match demand to prevent traffic disruption.

For residents and drivers in Guwahati, resolving this imbalance will be key to ensuring smoother mobility across the city.

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