CNG prices rise again across major cities; fourth hike in less than 15 days

CNG prices were increased again across major cities on Tuesday, marking the fourth price hike in less than 15 days amid continued volatility in global crude and gas markets.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices in Delhi were increased by Rs 2 per kg with effect from Tuesday. Following the latest revision, CNG in the national capital now costs Rs 83.09 per kg.

The latest revision comes days after a Re 1 increase in CNG prices on Saturday and is the fourth hike in less than two weeks.

The increase is expected to impact private vehicle owners as well as public transport fleets, especially in cities where a large number of buses and cabs run on CNG.

Petrol and diesel prices were also raised again on Monday across major metropolitan cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

In Delhi, petrol prices crossed the Rs 100-mark after rising by Rs 2.61 to Rs 102.12 per litre, while diesel prices increased by Rs 2.71 to Rs 95.20 per litre.

In Kolkata, petrol prices rose by Rs 2.87 to Rs 113.51 per litre, while diesel increased by Rs 2.80 to Rs 99.82 per litre.

Mumbai also saw another increase in fuel rates, with petrol becoming costlier by Rs 2.72 and reaching Rs 111.21 per litre. Diesel prices in the city climbed by Rs 2.81 to Rs 97.83 per litre.

In Chennai, petrol prices increased by Rs 2.46 to Rs 107.77 per litre, while diesel prices rose by Rs 2.57 to Rs 99.55 per litre.

The latest revision follows three earlier increases in recent days. On May 15, petrol and diesel prices were raised by Rs 3 per litre each. Another hike followed on May 19, when fuel prices increased by 90 paise per litre. On May 23, petrol prices were increased by 87 paise per litre, while diesel prices rose by 91 paise per litre.

Fuel prices in India are revised based on international crude and gas prices, exchange rates and local levies. The latest hikes come amid elevated global energy prices linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and supply concerns that have kept crude oil and natural gas markets volatile.

The repeated increases in CNG, petrol and diesel prices are expected to raise transport and logistics costs, with possible knock-on effects on inflation. Consumers may also face higher commuting expenses and increases in the prices of goods transported by road.

However, the Centre maintained that it had forgone nearly Rs 14,000 crore in tax revenue after reducing excise duty on petrol and diesel to shield consumers from rising fuel prices, according to Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Petroleum Ministry.

The government had cut central excise duty by Rs 10 per litre on both petrol and diesel on March 27 following a sharp rise in global crude oil prices due to tensions in West Asia.