CNG Becomes Costlier in Mumbai
Mumbai residents will now have to pay more for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) has announced a fresh increase in fuel prices. The company has raised the retail price of CNG by ₹2 per kilogram, taking the new rate to ₹86 per kg across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The revised prices have come into effect immediately and are expected to impact lakhs of vehicle owners and daily commuters.
Millions of Vehicles Likely to be Affected
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region has a large number of vehicles that operate on CNG. Auto-rickshaws, taxis, buses, and private vehicles heavily depend on the fuel due to its affordability compared to petrol and diesel. With the latest hike, transportation costs are expected to rise, putting additional pressure on drivers and transport operators. Reports indicate that more than 12 lakh CNG-powered vehicles operate in the region.
Piped Cooking Gas Also Gets Costlier
Along with the CNG price revision, MGL has also increased the rate of piped natural gas (PNG) supplied to households. The price of cooking gas delivered through pipelines has been raised by 50 paise per unit, taking the new rate to ₹52 per unit. The increase is expected to affect household budgets as families continue to deal with rising living costs.
Why Have Prices Increased?
Industry experts attribute the latest hike to rising global energy costs and disruptions in international fuel supply chains. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have increased crude oil and natural gas procurement costs. Energy companies are facing higher import expenses, which are ultimately being reflected in retail fuel prices. Additionally, fluctuations in currency exchange rates have further increased operational costs for gas distribution companies.
Impact on Auto and Taxi Drivers
The increase in CNG prices is likely to hit auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers the hardest. Many transport unions have expressed concerns over the growing operational costs and may seek fare revisions from authorities. Drivers argue that repeated fuel price hikes reduce their earnings and make it difficult to maintain profitability. If transport fares are revised, passengers may also have to bear additional costs for daily travel.
Rising Fuel Costs Across India
The latest increase in Mumbai comes amid a broader trend of fuel price hikes across several Indian cities. In recent weeks, petrol, diesel, and CNG prices have witnessed multiple revisions due to volatility in global energy markets. Experts believe that fuel prices may remain under pressure if international crude oil rates continue to stay elevated.
What Consumers Should Expect
Consumers are expected to face higher transportation and household energy expenses in the coming weeks. Businesses dependent on transportation may also experience increased operating costs, which could eventually affect the prices of goods and services. While CNG still remains cheaper than petrol in many cases, the gap is gradually narrowing due to frequent price revisions.
