Compressed natural gas prices were on Sunday increased by Re 1 per kg across Delhi and several other cities in northern India, marking the second hike in 48 hours.With the latest revision, CNG in Delhi now costs Rs 80.09 per kg, up from Rs 79.09 per kg following a Rs 2 increase announced on Friday. Taxi and auto operators are majorly affected by the hike with many saying it is unbearable. They have demanded raise in fare rates.
Indraprastha Gas Limited, the largest CNG distributor in north India, said the latest revision was intended to “marginally offset the impact of increase in input gas cost along with steep appreciation of Dollar.
The company added that, despite the increase, CNG continued to offer savings of up to 45% in running costs compared with vehicles using other fuels at current prices.The revised rates in Noida and Ghaziabad were Rs 88.7 per kg, while CNG in Gurugram rose to Rs 84.12 per kg. Transport operators have warned of fare hikes as rising fuel costs erode their earnings and push up inflation risks.
Auto and taxi unions in Delhi have urged the government to raise fares, citing rising CNG costs, higher maintenance expenses, and new regulatory charges. Drivers report that stagnant fares and frequent fuel hikes are eroding their savings, with some proposing a minimum fare increase from ₹30 to ₹50 for autos and higher per-km rates. Commuters, however, often resist fare changes, creating tension between operational viability and affordability.
The latest increase follows broader fuel price revisions announced on Friday when petrol and diesel prices in the country were raised by around Rs 3 per litre each.Petrol now costs Rs 97.77 per litre, while diesel is priced at Rs 90.67 per litre, in Delhi.The rise in fuel price comes on the back of rising global oil prices and supply concerns amid the conflict in West Asia. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that India had limited petrol and diesel price increases to 3.2% and 3.4%, while several other countries had seen much sharper rises.
The hike comes as oil marketing companies face mounting pressure with global crude prices continuing to rise amid the war in West Asia. Benchmark Brent crude was trading at $109.2 per barrel on Sunday. The price of Brent was $78 per barrel on February 27, a day before the conflict started.
On May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to revive some work-from-home practices adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic to reduce fuel consumption. It was among the measures he proposed to help the country withstand global economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions amid the conflict.
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