The retail price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Delhi rose by ₹2 per kilogram [1], bringing the new rate to ₹83.09 per kilogram [2].
This price increase directly impacts thousands of daily commuters and commercial transport operators, specifically taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers who rely on CNG as a primary fuel source.
The new rates took effect at 6 a.m. on May 26, 2024 [3]. The hike is attributed to rising global energy prices and geopolitical tensions in West Asia that are pressuring fuel costs [4].
Reports on the frequency of these adjustments vary. Some sources describe this as the third increase in less than two weeks [5], while other reporting identifies it as the fourth increase in 11 days [6].
Political reactions to the price surge have been sharp. The Congress party said via Twitter that "Narendra Modi is looting the public for his rich friends" [7].
Industry analysts suggest the move is a strategic financial adjustment for the providers. An anonymous industry source said the price hike appears calibrated enough to partially ease margin pressure on oil companies without creating a major inflationary shock [8].
CNG has been made ₹2 more expensive [9], adding to the financial burden of urban transit in the National Capital Territory of India.
“The retail price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Delhi rose by ₹2 per kilogram.”
The rapid succession of price hikes in Delhi reflects the vulnerability of India's domestic fuel markets to geopolitical instability in West Asia. Because CNG is a critical fuel for the city's public transport infrastructure, these incremental costs are likely to be passed from drivers to passengers, potentially increasing the cost of living for low-income residents.
