CNG gets costlier in Pune by Rs 2 per kg in second hike this year; rise in input cost likely to blame

The shortfall in the allocation of domestic natural gas for the CNG sector has led to the use of higher-priced regasified-liquefied natural gas (R-LNG), which is an imported alternative.

People get their vehicles filled with compressed natural gas at an Adani Gas station in Ahmedabad on Friday. (Reuters Photo)

The Maharashtra Natural Gas Ltd (MNGL) on Friday announced a hike in the retail price of compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and neighbouring areas like Chakan, Talegaon, and Hinjewadi.

The CNG price has been increased by Rs 2 per kg to Rs 87.90 per kg.

MNGL attributed the price hike to the rise in the input cost of natural gas.

The shortfall in the allocation of domestic natural gas for the CNG sector has led to the use of higher-priced regasified-liquefied natural gas (R-LNG), which is an imported alternative.

Blending R-LNG with domestic gas is necessary to cater to the growing number of CNG users, but it has resulted in higher procurement costs, MNGL sources said.

Despite the price hike, MNGL claimed that CNG offered significant savings to consumers, with approximately 48 per cent savings compared to petrol and 25 per cent savings compared to diesel for passenger cars in Pune. For autorickshaw operators, the savings stood at about 27 per cent, it said.

This is the second CNG price hike this year, following a Rs 1.50 per kg increase in July.

Shubham Tigga

Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More

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