Post by : Shakul

Compressed Natural Gas prices have once again increased across New Delhi and several parts of the National Capital Region, marking the third hike in less than two weeks. The latest increase of Re 1 per kilogram has pushed the retail price of CNG in Delhi to Rs 81.09 per kilogram, adding further pressure on commuters, transport operators and middle-class households already dealing with rising living costs.

The revised prices came into effect early Friday morning and have impacted multiple NCR cities. In Noida, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida, CNG is now being sold at Rs 89.70 per kilogram. Gurugram recorded revised rates of Rs 86.12 per kilogram, while Ajmer saw prices climb to Rs 90.44 per kilogram. The repeated hikes are expected to significantly impact people who depend on CNG-powered vehicles for their daily travel and business operations.

This is the third revision in CNG prices since May 15. Earlier this month, authorities had increased prices by Rs 2 per kilogram, followed by another Re 1 hike on May 18. The latest adjustment reflects growing stress in the global energy market as geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt crude oil and gas supplies worldwide.

Experts believe the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have become major reasons behind the fuel price surge. The strategically important waterway handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, and fears of disruptions in the region have pushed international crude prices sharply higher. India, which imports a large portion of its energy requirements, has been directly affected by the global price increase.

The impact of the latest CNG price hike is likely to be felt across the transportation sector. Thousands of auto-rickshaws, taxis, buses and commercial vehicles operating in Delhi-NCR run on CNG due to its affordability and cleaner emissions compared to petrol and diesel. Transport operators may now be forced to increase fares in order to offset the rising fuel expenses, which could ultimately affect millions of daily commuters.

Economists warn that repeated fuel price hikes may also contribute to retail inflation in the coming weeks. Increased transportation costs often lead to higher prices for goods and services, affecting food delivery, logistics and public transport expenses. Consumers are already facing pressure from rising household costs, and the latest increase may add further strain to monthly budgets.

Reports suggest that state-run oil marketing companies including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum have been suffering major financial losses due to the rising cost of importing crude oil. Industry estimates indicate that these companies have collectively been losing nearly Rs 1,600 crore daily because retail fuel prices were not fully aligned with soaring international energy rates.

Despite pressure from oil companies for a larger price revision, the government reportedly avoided major hikes initially in an attempt to control inflation and protect consumers from sudden economic shocks. However, as global prices continued rising, companies gradually began passing part of the burden onto customers through repeated smaller increases.

The situation has also sparked discussions around fuel conservation and alternative work models. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged citizens to save fuel wherever possible and encouraged remote working practices to reduce energy consumption and ease pressure on fuel imports. Experts believe such measures could help reduce demand during periods of global supply uncertainty.

Industry analysts are closely monitoring international crude oil movements and geopolitical developments, as any further escalation in the Middle East could trigger additional increases in fuel prices across India. Consumers and transport operators now remain concerned about whether CNG prices will continue to rise in the coming weeks if global energy markets remain unstable.

#India News #Economy #Delhi