CNG, PNG prices hiked in Ahmedabad
After petrol and diesel, consumers now will have to cough up more for compressed natural gas (CNG) and cooking gas or piped natural gas (PNG) as Adani Gas Limited (AGL) has increased CNG and domestic PNG prices in Ahmedabad and Vadodara. The new rates are effective from September 8, 2018. According to the revised prices available on the company’s website, CNG price has been hiked by Re 1 to Rs 52 per kg from Rs 51/kg, which is inclusive of taxes. Similarly, PNG price for residential segment is raised to Rs 643.40 per million metric British thermal units (mmBtu) from Rs 630.20 per mmBtu. AGL had last revised the rates on June 1. The Adani group company serves about 2,85,000 households and approximately 1,50,000 CNG users in Ahmedabad and Vadodara. The reasons for the price hike could not be known from the company. The industry players, however, attributed the increase to depreciating rupee against dollar. Although CGD players are made available natural gas from domestic market, the city gas distribution companies have to purchase gas in dollar denomination. “Decline in rupee raises the purchase cost of gas and hence the same has been passed on to the consumers,” said a source. A week back, Indraprastha Gas Limited increased CNG and PNG prices for Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad in Delhi NCR. The price was increased to offset the impact of rising input cost due to appreciation of dollar against rupee. Industry players also opine that other city gas distribution companies in Gujarat may also revise their prices in days to come.