PUNE: The price of compressed natural gas has increased by Rs1.10 per kilogram to touch Rs56.60 in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and rural parts, but the Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited claimed that it still guaranteed 60% saving as compared to petrol and 40% as compared to
diesel at current price levels.
Officials from Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) stressed that there would be a marginal impact on per kilometre running cost of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles due to the price hike. The price of a litre of petrol has gone above Rs100. The cost of diesel has also increased to more than Rs90 per litre in the city.
An official attributed the CNG’s price increase to the rising operating expenses, manpower and fixed costs during the Covid-19 pandemic. “However, there is no change in the price of piped gas,” he added.
Most autorickshaws, buses and a sizable number of private cars run on CNG in the district.
Another official said MNGL had been supplying uninterrupted CNG in Pune through its increasing network. “During the pandemic restrictions, MNGL continued to fuel emergency vehicles and other associated vehicles running on CNG despite drop in sales because of fewer commuters on roads. The work of augmentation of infrastructure is also under way in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and adjacent areas amid the pandemic restrictions,” he said.
“The setting up of new CNG refilling stations has brought down the waiting time of vehicles to refill the gas. The MNGL is trying to cover maximum areas by setting up stations all over the city. The proposals for more stations are being discussed with the authorities concerned,” he added.