Pune: CNG prices rise by Rs 6 to Rs 91/kg, second hike in less than a month

PUNE: The price of CNG was hiked by Rs6 in the city from Thursday to Rs91 per kilogram from the earlier Rs85 per kilogram.
The rates were revised within a span of less than a month. The previous hike was announced in July.
Apart from CNG, the rates for the piped natural gas (PNG) have also been revised to Rs51.50 per standard cubic metre (SCM) from Rs48.50.
The autorickshaw unions in the city have demanded that the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) revise auto fares owing to constant increase in CNG prices. The leaders of autorickshaw unions said that a hike of Rs6 will increase their overall monthly expenses on running vehicles.
"The CNG price was around Rs62 in April. The price has gone up almost by Rs29 in last four months. Maintenance and other expenses have also gone up. We do not know when this rise will stop," said Ashok Paigude, an autorickshaw driver.
Paigude also pointed out non-availability of gas at refilling stations, resulting in huge queues. "Waiting in queues for refilling hampers the business and our daily earnings," he added.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) said that revision in prices of both CNG and PNG is applicable in areas of Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Chakan, Talegaon and Hinjewadi.
According to MNGL, there has been an 18% hike in price of natural gas. The rise in input gas cost has a bearing on final consumer pricing, said an official.