- CNG price hike of 3.89 rupees per kilogram in Delhi-NCR has prompted auto and taxi unions to demand a fare increase and threaten strikes.
- Transporters plan to stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar after September 15, demanding the resignation of Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Puri.
- Auto and taxi unions are threatening to strike as drivers with fixed-rate contracts cannot adjust to the increased operating costs due to the CNG price hike.
- Rajendra Kapoor, president of the All India Motor and Goods Transport Association, stated that the CNG price hike will raise transportation costs for small CNG vehicles, leading to higher prices for food and essential commodities.
Transport unions in Delhi-NCR are escalating their demands for fare hikes following a recent ₹3.89 per kg increase in CNG prices, which now stand at ₹86.98 per kg in Delhi.
Rajendra Soni, general secretary of the Auto Rickshaw Association, stated, “CNG prices have been rising over the past two to three months. However, fares have not been revised proportionately.”
The unions have threatened a strike on September 9 if the government does not respond within a week.
“Other States like Maharashtra and Gujarat have already revised fares,” Soni added, urging the Delhi government to either increase fares or provide subsidies.
The cumulative increase in CNG prices this year has reached nearly ₹10 per kg, up from ₹77.09 at the start of the year.
Rajendra Kapoor, president of the All India Motor and Goods Transport Association, warned that the hike would lead to increased costs for essential commodities, stating, “Small vehicles used to transport vegetables and other commodities use CNG. This will lead to a rise in transportation costs.”4
Baljinder Singh, a taxi service owner, expressed concerns over fixed-rate contracts, saying, “We are expected to absorb the entire hike in operating costs.”
Protests are planned at Jantar Mantar after September 15, with demands for the resignation of Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Puri.2
IGL attributed the price hike to rising global LNG prices due to geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.
“A calibrated revision of ₹3.89 per kg has now become necessary to partially offset the increase in input gas cost,” IGL stated.
“Rajendra Kapoor of the All India Motor and Goods Transport Association warns the hike will raise transportation costs for small CNG vehicles, pushing up prices of food and essential commodities. Meanwhile, taxi service owner Baljinder Singh says drivers with fixed-rate school and company contracts must absorb the entire hike, and transporters plan a Jantar Mantar demonstration demanding the resignation of ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Puri.”
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