Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has increased auto-rickshaw fares in the state following a sharp jump in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices in recent weeks.
The minimum auto-rickshaw fare has been increased from Rs. 15 to Rs. 18, while the charge for every subsequent kilometre has been revised from Rs. 10 to Rs. 13, the state government announced on Tuesday night. The waiting fare has been increased from Re. 1 for five minutes to Re. 1 per minute. The revised fares will come into effect from November 5.
“Registered auto-rickshaw associations had represented for fare revision due to increase in fuel prices. The decision to revise the fares has been taken following a meeting with representatives of auto-rickshaw associations,” said road and transport minister Purnesh Modi.
CNG prices have risen sharply in Gujarat since October. From Rs. 56.30 per kilo in September, Adani Total Gas is now selling CNG at Rs. 62.99 following four price revisions in October. The Gujarat government-owned Gujarat Gas has hiked the price of the automotive fuel by more than Rs. 11 per kilo or 20% in three upward revisions in a month, including a hike of Rs. 5 from November 1.
The CNG price hikes come even as petrol and diesel prices are scaling new all-time highs on a daily basis. Petrol price in Ahmedabad jumped to Rs. 106.75 a litre on Tuesday, while diesel is selling at Rs. 106.20 a litre, putting unprecedented financial burden on fuel consumers.