Ahmedabad: There is no respite from surging fuel prices for consumers in Gujarat. Gujarat Gas, which distributes gas in more than two dozen districts in Gujarat, has increased CNG prices by more than 8%, its third hike in less than a month.
Gujarat Gas, the largest city gas distribution company in the country, revised CNG prices from Rs. 60.78 per kilo to Rs. 65.74 with effect from November 1, as per its website. The hike of Rs. 4.96 per kilo translates to an 8.1% increase.
The Gujarat government-owned company was selling CNG at Rs. 54.45 per kilo until October 4, and has hiked prices by more than 20% in three revisions since, putting additional burden on lakhs of vehicle owners.
Incidentally, Gujarat Gas’ CNG rate is now higher than the price at which Adani Gas retails the automotive fuel. Adani Gas implemented four price hikes in October and is selling CNG at Rs. 62.99 per kilo in Ahmedabad, according to its website. It was selling CNG at Rs. 56.30 per kilo in September.
Given that gas companies typically take a cue from one another in revising gas prices, another price hike by the Adani group company, which has also hiked the price of domestic piped natural gas, may not be surprising.
Rickshaw drivers in Gujarat are pressing for a revision in fares citing the steep hikes in CNG prices.
The multiple price hikes by gas companies come in the wake of the Centre revising the price of domestically produced natural gas from $1.79 per MMBTU to $2.90 per MMBTU for October 2021 to March 2022.