Delhi: 10th CNG Price Hike Takes Total to Rs 13.1/kg; Cabs, Autos Threaten Strike

New Delhi: CNG (compressed natural gas) prices in the national capital on Thursday were hiked by Rs 2.50 per kilogram -- the 10th increase in rates in the last one month.

CNG in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi now costs Rs 69.11 per kg, up from Rs 66.61 per kg, according to the information posted on the website of Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) -- the firm which retails CNG and piped cooking gas in the national capital and adjoining cities.

This is the second straight day of increase in price by Rs 2.50 per litre and the 10th since March 7.

In all, the CNG price has risen by Rs 13.1 per kg in the last one month.

In the last one year, prices have increased by Rs 25.71 per kg or 60%, according to data compiled by PTI.

However, there was no change in the rates of Piped Cooking Gas (PNG) on Thursday. It continues to cost Rs 41.61 per standard cubic meter.

The rates have gone up after the government more than doubled the price of natural gas to USD 6.1 per million British thermal unit from April 1.

Natural gas when compressed becomes CNG for use as fuel in automobiles. The same gas is also piped to household kitchens and industries for cooking and other purposes.

On Thursday, Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) raised Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) price by Rs 7 per kg to Rs 67 per kg in Mumbai, while Gujarat Gas hiked rates by Rs 6.50 per kg to Rs 76.98 per kg.

Prices vary from city to city depending on the incidence of local taxes such as VAT.

The increase in CNG prices follows Rs 10 per litre hike in petrol and diesel prices in 16 days and a Rs 50 per cylinder raise in the cooking gas LPG rates.

According to IGL, CNG will now cost Rs 71.67 per kg in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad and Rs 77.44 per kg in Gurugram, the cities adjoining Delhi. 

Cabs, Autos Demand Fare Revision

With a sharp hike in CNG prices, auto, cab, and taxi drivers in the city have threatened to go on an "indefinite strike" from April 18 if the government doesn’t provide subsidy on the fuel or increase the fare.

Associations of auto, cab and taxi drivers will hold protests against the Centre as well as the city government at Jantar Mantar on Friday and at the Delhi Secretariat on April 11 against rise in CNG prices.

Sarvodaya Drivers Welfare Association Ravi Rathor, who claims to have around 4 lakh drivers as members in Delhi-NCR, said that his association will go on an “indefinite strike” if their demands to reduce CNG prices or increase in fare are not fulfilled.

"We are demanding a reduction in CNG rates and if the prices cannot be slashed then the fare should be increased to cope with the price rise.

"There has been no revision in Ola and Uber fares for the last 7-8 years. In the protest tomorrow we will also take a call on an indefinite strike," Rathor told PTI.

Rajendra Soni, Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh's general secretary, said that the price hike in rates of CNG is "unprecedented" and it is becoming hard for taxi, cab, and auto drivers to survive.

Around one lakh auto rickshaws are currently plying in the national capital.

Soni said that his association has written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to provide a subsidy of Rs 35 per kg on CNG.

"We will go on an indefinite strike from April 18 if our demand is not met. We have also decided to stage a symbolic protest at the secretariat on April 11 to oppose the price hike," Soni told PTI.

He said that the representatives of other auto and taxi unions such as the Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union and the All Delhi Auto Taxi Transporters Congress Union will also participate in protests and the strike.

Delhi's public transport, including cabs, autos, taxis and buses, is majorly CNG driven.