Unfair to middle class: Delhi-NCR residents react to Rs 3.89/kg CNG price hike

New Delhi: With CNG prices increasing by Rs 3.89 per kg across Delhi-NCR, residents on Saturday expressed concern over the impact of the hike, calling it an additional burden on the middle class amid rising inflation.

A local said the repeated increase in CNG prices was making it increasingly difficult for vehicle owners to manage their expenses.

“The CNG price has been increased by around Rs 4, and it had gone up a few days ago as well. When I bought my car, CNG cost around Rs 56 per kg. It has now increased to Rs 96, which is almost at par with petrol prices. This is unfair to the middle class,” the resident said.

Another local said he came to know about the latest hike while visiting a CNG station on Saturday morning.

“When I came to fill CNG this morning, I found out that the prices had increased again. Inflation is rising day by day. A week ago, sugar prices also went up, chicken and egg prices are up and now gas has become more expensive. Our driver brothers who operate taxis do not get adequate fares and are already struggling to earn. With the increase in CNG prices, they will be affected significantly,” he said.

A third resident also raised concerns over the repeated increase in fuel prices and its impact on household budgets.

“If the CNG prices keep increasing this way, it will put pressure on all transport systems that deliver goods and food produce and will ultimately raise the price for consumers. Also, people travelling by public transport like Bike taxis, Radio cabs and autorickshaws will end up paying more, putting more pressure on household budgets,” she said.

An autorickshaw driver said the hike would create difficulties for drivers, who are already facing financial pressure.

“What can we say about this? It is a problem for the entire public. We are not happy with the way the government is handling things. Earlier, we used to pay around Rs 16 per kg for CNG, and now, after the hike, it will be Rs 86.98 per kg. What can we do about it?” he said.

He added that higher CNG prices would directly affect autorickshaw drivers and other commercial vehicle operators, while passenger fares had largely remained unchanged.

“It creates problems for auto-rickshaw drivers and people who operate other vehicles as well. But our passengers continue to pay the same fare. Whether they book online or otherwise, the fares remain almost the same,” he said.

The residents said the increase in CNG prices could further raise transportation costs and put additional pressure on people already dealing with higher household expenses.

CNG prices have been increased by Rs 3.89 per kg across Delhi-NCR, with the revised rates coming into effect from 6 a.m. on Saturday. The hike has been announced by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), the primary city gas distributor in the National Capital Region.

Following the latest increase, the price of CNG in Delhi has risen from Rs 83.09 per kg to Rs 86.98 per kg. The revised rates will also apply in several adjoining cities, including Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram.

In Noida and Ghaziabad, CNG will now cost Rs 95.59 per kg, while the new price in Gurugram has been fixed at Rs 92.01 per kg.

The latest increase is expected to put additional pressure on motorists and commercial vehicle operators who rely heavily on CNG. Autorickshaws, taxis, app-based cab services and other commercial transport operators are likely to face higher fuel expenses following the revision. Private car owners using CNG will also have to spend more on fuel.

The latest hike comes after a series of increases in CNG prices in recent months. In May 2026, IGL had announced another increase of Rs 2 per kg in Delhi. That revision followed a Rs 1 per kg increase announced just a few days earlier, from May 26, as CNG prices continued to move upward.

IANS