Indraprastha Gas Ltd hiked CNG by Re 1 on Sunday, closely following the ₹2 per kg hike announced on Friday.
“Either the increased CNG prices should be rolled back immediately or fares of auto-rickshaws and taxis should be revised so that drivers can survive,” he said.
The union leader also demanded the formation of a welfare board for auto and taxi drivers, a promise that was part of the BJP manifesto.
“The government should either increase fares or withdraw the CNG price hike keeping public interest in mind,” he said.
Prior to that, the price hike was effected in 2013.
With a second price rise in 48 hours, the cost of compressed natural gas (CNG) in the national capital crossed ₹80 per kilogram on Sunday, triggering anger among auto and taxi unions in particular, who called it an “unbearable financial burden” and demanded a rollback or fare revision by the government. Indraprastha Gas Ltd hiked CNG by Re 1 on Sunday, closely following the ₹2 per kg hike announced on Friday. (Praful Gangurde/Hindustan Times)
Indraprastha Gas Ltd hiked CNG by Re 1 on Sunday, closely following the ₹2 per kg hike announced on Friday.
“The revision in retail prices of CNG has been effected only to marginally offset the impact of increase in input gas cost along with steep appreciation of USD,” it said in a statement.
ALSO READ | With CNG price hiked again, autodrivers in Noida seek hike in fares
CNG in the national capital will now cost ₹80.09 per kg, while in the NCR cities of Noida/ Greater Noida and Ghaziabad (UP), as well as Gurugram (Haryana), it will cost ₹85.12/kg.
The price of piped natural gas (PNG) supplied to households remains unchanged.
The consecutive hikes drew criticism from unions representing autorickshaw drivers, many of whom rely on CNG-run vehicles for their livelihood.
Rajender Soni, general secretary of the Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union, said the repeated increase in fuel prices was putting an “unbearable financial burden” on drivers already struggling with inflation and rising vehicle maintenance costs.
ALSO READ | LPG tanker carrying 20,000 tonnes of gas reaches Gujarat after crossing Strait of Hormuz, says report
Soni said the union has sought time to meet chief minister Rekha Gupta and the transport minister to press for relief measures.
“Either the increased CNG prices should be rolled back immediately or fares of auto-rickshaws and taxis should be revised so that drivers can survive,” he said.
The union leader also demanded the formation of a welfare board for auto and taxi drivers, a promise that was part of the BJP manifesto.
ALSO READ | LPG supply, strategic oil reserve: PM Modi’s Abu Dhabi visit bolsters ties
Kishan Verma, president of All Delhi Auto Taxi Transport Congress, said the latest hike would directly impact both drivers and commuters. “The government should either increase fares or withdraw the CNG price hike keeping public interest in mind,” he said.
Autorickshaw fares were last revised in 2023 under the Aam Aadmi Party government from ₹25 to ₹30 for the first 1.5km. The rate of every subsequent kilometre of the journey was raised to ₹11 from ₹9.50.
The fare of taxis was last revised in 2023. Prior to that, the price hike was effected in 2013.
State-run oil companies also raised pump prices of petrol and diesel by ₹3 per litre each across the country on Friday.
