CNG dearer,auto drivers threaten to switch to petrol

Autorickshaw operators are finding it tough to decide on the type of fuel,thanks to the narrowing gap between petrol and CNG prices in Gujarat. While petrol prices have come down,CNG is getting increasingly expensive.

Currently,CNG is sold in Ahmedabad at Rs 63/kg while petrol at Rs 65.72/litre. A fortnight ago,CNG cost Rs 60/kg and while petrol stood at Rs 70 a litre. Thus,the gap has narrowed from Rs 10 to Rs 3. “The prices of CNG has been increased 33 times since 2004 when it was first introduced in Ahmedabad,” said Ashok Panjabi,the co-ordinator of auto-rickshaw unions in the city. “CNG cost a bit over Rs 22 a kilogram then,” he said.

A number of autorickshaw operators have threatened to shift back to petrol as regular fuel instead of CNG. However,the state government doesn’t permit them to use petrol. “No driver will agree to say openly that he is using petrol and not CNG (the vehicle can toggle between the two fuel types) because of the current ban”,said Pappu Yadav,a CNG autorickshaw operator.

Gujarat Petroleum Dealers Association president Arvind Thakkar said,“When CNG will become costlier than petrol,people will think of switching. But autorickshaw operators are bound by the government regulation.”