Commuters and commercial drivers in the National Capital Region (NCR) are reeling under a sudden wave of inflation. In a major blow to the transport sector, Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) announced a fresh increase in the price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The latest revision marks the second price hike within a mere 48 hours, sending a ripple of anxiety through commuters, auto-rickshaw drivers, and app-based cab aggregators alike.
The double-whammy price revision has pushed retail rates past major psychological thresholds, making daily transportation significantly more expensive across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
The New Tariff Breakdown: Crossing the ₹80 Mark
The retail price of CNG in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi has officially crossed the landmark eighty-rupee barrier.
- Delhi: Following a ₹1 per kg increase, the new rate stands at ₹80.09 per kg. This comes directly on the heels of a sharper ₹2 per kg hike just two days prior, translating to a total increase of ₹3 per kg in less than 48 hours.
- Noida & Ghaziabad: Prices have spiked to ₹88.70 per kg.
- Gurugram: Commuters will now pay ₹85.12 per kg.
Why Are Gas Prices Skyrocketing?
According to official statements from IGL, the price adjustments were necessary to marginally offset the impact of rising input gas costs and a steep appreciation of the US Dollar against the Indian Rupee.
However, the deeper cause lies in international geopolitics. The ongoing West Asia conflict and the subsequent disruption of the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping channel have sent global energy markets into a tailspin. With Brent crude spiking above the $100 per barrel mark, domestic oil and gas marketing companies have been left with little choice but to pass a portion of the increased acquisition costs onto the consumer.
The Impact on Petrol, Diesel, and the Common Man
What makes this CNG hike particularly frustrating for Delhi-NCR residents is that it mirrors an identical shock in conventional fuels. The central government recently revised petrol and diesel prices upward by roughly ₹3 per litre.
| Fuel Type (Delhi) | New Price | Cumulative Hike (48 Hours) |
| CNG | ₹80.09 per kg | +₹3.00 |
| Petrol | ₹97.77 per litre | +₹3.00 |
| Diesel | ₹90.67 per litre | +₹3.00 |
While IGL maintains that CNG still offers up to 45% running-cost savings compared to traditional internal combustion engines, the price gap is closing fast.
Public Backlash and Transport Turmoil
The reaction from the public and transport unions has been immediate and fierce. For cab drivers operating under aggregators like Ola and Uber, as well as local auto-rickshaw drivers, CNG is their primary livelihood expenditure. Unions are already demanding an immediate upward revision of base fares to protect their shrinking daily margins.
Furthermore, because commercial transport relies heavily on CNG and diesel, trade analysts warn that these consecutive hikes could fuel retail inflation, driving up the costs of daily essentials like vegetables, milk, and groceries.
Do you think it’s time for the government to step in and cap fuel prices, or is it time to fast-track the shift to electric vehicles? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
