"No longer pocket-friendly": Delhi commuters fret as CNG prices increase to Rs 83.09 per kg
New Delhi, May 26
The fourth CNG price hike in the national capital in less than 15 days has severely troubled the users of CNG-powered vehicles, with daily commuters complaining of the impact on finances and auto and taxi drivers raising concerns over no effective revision in fare rates, affecting their income.
The prices of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) have increased by Rs 2 per kg in Delhi with effect from Tuesday, adding to the commuting burden for users of CNG-powered vehicles.
CNG will now cost Rs 83.09 per kg in the national capital.
Speaking with ANI, a commuter questioned the government over the price hike, stating that the CNG is no longer a pocket-friendly fuel.
"There hasn't been any problem in the CNG supply, so why are prices increasing? Only the companies and the government know why. It will definitely impact the common man's pocket. Now that it has reached Rs 80, what difference is left between it and petrol?" he asked.
Meanwhile, a taxi driver reflected on the financial troubles faced by the common public amid the increase in prices of essential commodities, such as fuel.
"It's not produced in our country. It comes from outside, so it's a problem for everyone. What will happen to the lives of common people? We are auto drivers. Since it's increasing for everyone, it's not just our problem," he said.
Another taxi driver expressed disappointment over the lack of an increase in fare rates, adversely impacting the income of the drivers.
"CNG prices should be lower; there's starvation in the country. They've increased petrol prices, they've increased CNG prices, but the transport fares remain the same. Why don't they increase the fares? A driver is operating a 12 lakh rupee car, and the passenger is paying only ₹150. What is all this? Why should CNG prices increase so much? The prices should have remained what they were before. If they increase gas prices, they should at least increase the fares. The public is distressed; people have no business. What more can happen than this?" he questioned.
Another taxi driver urged the government to take cognisance of the matter and provide relief to the public amid the repeated hikes.
"The price of CNG has increased by Rs 2, and it's making a difference for us. Please reduce the CNG rates a bit.," he said.
The latest revision makes it the fourth hike in CNG prices in less than 15 days. It comes just days after the previous hike of Re 1 in CNG prices on Saturday.
Meanwhile, CNG prices have also increased by Rs 2 per kg in Mumbai, reaching Rs 84 per kg. These new rates have come into effect today.
The CNG hike also impacts public transport fleets in cities like Delhi, where a large share of buses and cabs run on the fuel.
Petrol and diesel prices were also hiked once again on Monday, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks amid continued volatility in global crude markets and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Following the latest revision, petrol prices in Delhi crossed the Rs 100-mark, rising by Rs 2.61 to Rs 102.12 per litre, while diesel prices increased by Rs 2.71 to Rs 95.20 per litre. Similar hikes were witnessed across major metropolitan cities, including Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, adding to the burden on consumers and transport operators.
However, the Centre maintained that it has forgone nearly Rs 14,000 crore in tax revenue after reducing excise duty on petrol and diesel to shield consumers from rising fuel prices, according to Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Petroleum Ministry. The government had cut central excise duty by Rs 10 per litre on both petrol and diesel on March 27, following a sharp rise in global crude oil prices due to tensions in West Asia.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm an auto driver in Delhi and this is getting impossible. We run our vehicles all day to make a living, but with CNG at Rs 83, we're barely covering costs. Fares haven't changed in years, but everything else has gone up. The government should either control prices or revise fares. This is not just about us drivers, it's about the lakhs of commuters who depend on us daily. Common man is paying the price for global tensions.
So the government says it lost Rs 14,000 crore in tax revenue by reducing excise duty, but where is the benefit reaching the consumer? Prices are still going up. This feels like a cycle where they cut taxes but the companies hike prices anyway, and we end up paying more. Meanwhile, the common man is struggling with inflation in everything from dal to fuel. When will this end? 🤔
I've been driving a cab for 15 years. My car cost me Rs 12 lakh and today a passenger pays just Rs 150 for a trip that used to be Rs 100. The fare hasn't kept pace with anything. CNG price hike is just the latest blow. We need fare revision urgently. It's not right that drivers keep losing while companies and government talk about global factors. We are the ones on the ground feeling it every day. 🚕
As a daily commuter who takes the bus, I feel for the auto and taxi drivers. But also, we passengers are squeezed too. Bus fares might not have gone up directly, but everything else has. The government needs to think about public transport affordability. Cutting excise duty and then hiking prices defeats the purpose. It's time for a long-term solution, not these short-term fixes. 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.