CNG, PNG prices increase due to weakening of rupee, oil prices head north too

With the latest revision in prices, CNG will cost ₹54.75 per kg and PNG ₹29. The rise may result in a hike in the fares of cabs and auto-rickshaws, which mostly ply on CNG.

Gurugram Prices of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) were increased by ₹2.25 and ₹1.25 respectively in Gurugram on Wednesday. The hike was due to the weakening of the Indian Rupee against the dollar and surging global crude prices, said officials of the Haryana City Gas Distribution Pvt. Ltd. The Indian Rupee has hit an all time low of ₹71.84 to the dollar.

A CNG filling station at Delhi-Gurugram expressway near sector 31, Gurugram, on Wednesday. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

With the latest revision in prices, CNG will cost ₹54.75 per kg and PNG ₹29. As per Indraprastha Gas Limited’s online platform, the CNG price in Delhi is ₹42.60 per kg, while PNG price is ₹28.25 per cubic metre as of September 2.

The rise may result in a hike in the fares of cabs and auto-rickshaws, which mostly ply on CNG. Many private vehicles, too, run on CNG. In addition, PNG is also expected to inflate the monthly gas bills of domestic users.

“As per the revised rates which came into effect from 6am on Wednesday, CNG is now priced at ₹54.75 per kg, up from ₹52.50 per kg, while PNG costs ₹29 per cubic metre, up from ₹27.75 per cubic metre,” said Satish Chopra, chairman and managing director of Haryana City Gas Distribution Pvt. Ltd. (HCGDL), on Wednesday.

Commuters are worried that the upward revision in the price of fuel will lead to a surge in transportation cost in a season when fares of public vehicles are already high. “The rise in the price of fuel will inevitably lead to a rise in our commuting costs. Now, I will have to pay anywhere between ₹15 to ₹20 more for the ride to the gym and back. No matter which mode of conveyance I avail of, I have to shell out more,” Sajal Sehgal, a resident of DLF 5, said.

Cab drivers also voiced worries on the impact of fuel price surge on their expenses. “While passengers will feel the price pinch, our profit margins, too, would go down. Such hikes in fuel prices barely leave us enough to make ends meet,” Rajesh Kishan Singh, a taxi driver, said.

“With the fuel price hike, residents would rely more on public transport and the government has to step in and provide more commuting options. Such hikes won’t hurt as much if the government puts together a better transport network in the city,” Niraj Chitnis, a resident of Cyber City said.

Presently, there are 25 CNG stations in Gurugram