NEW DELHI: Indraprastha Gas Ltd on Friday raised piped natural gas (PNG) by a steep Rs 5 per unit in Delhi and Rs 5.58 in Ghaziabad and Noida. This is the highest-ever increase in PNG prices.
Simultaneously, CNG prices were also raised by 80 paise per kg, marking the sixth increase in the last one month.
The combined impact will stretch household budgets in the Capital and neighbouring towns of UP as well as prompt a clamour for increase in bus and taxi fares from operators.
The sharp increase came a day after the price of gas produced from domestic fields more than doubled to record a level in accordance with the Centre’s pricing formula.
After the latest increase, PNG will cost Rs 41.61 per unit (SCM or standard cubic metres) in Delhi and Rs 41.71 in Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida. CNG will sell for Rs 61.61 per kg in Delhi and Rs 64.18 in Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida.
CNG prices have risen by about Rs 4 per kg because of the number of increases in the last month. Prices have gone up by about Rs 8.50 per kg this year on account of an increase in input costs.
Separately, state-run fuel retailers also raised the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders by Rs 250 to Rs 2,253 each but spared domestic cylinders of 14.2 kg. The price of domestic cylinders was raised about 10 days back.
Jet fuel prices were also raised by 2% to record levels, which will squeeze margins of airlines since fuel makes up 40% of their operating costs and raise fares higher.
Petrol and diesel prices have risen by Rs 6.40 per litre in the last 10 days after the retailers began raising prices from March 22.
