New Delhi: In a major relief to the people living in Delhi-NCR, the prices of compressed natural gas (CNG) have been slashed today, just before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections in the country. Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), the company that supplies gas in Delhi-NCR areas, has announced a reduction of Rs 2.5/kg in the prices of CNG. The new prices have come into effect from 6 am today.
According to the revised rates, the price of CNG in the national capital has now become Rs 74.09/kg. In Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad, the price of CNG will be Rs 78.70/kg. The new prices were announced late at night on the 6th after the company received a cut in the input cost of gas from its suppliers.
The price cut has been welcomed by the users of CNG, especially the taxi and auto drivers, who use CNG as their primary fuel. Taxi drivers will be able to save Rs 2/kg.
The price cut comes as a surprise, as the prices of CNG had increased several times in the past few months due to the rise in the international gas price. Before the latest reduction, the price of CNG in Delhi was Rs 76.59/kg, while in Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad, it was Rs 81.20/kg. The high prices had affected CNG vehicles’ affordability and profitability and also led to protests by some transport unions.
The price cut is also seen as a political move, as the Lok Sabha elections are expected to be announced soon. The ruling party at the center, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will likely face a tough challenge from the opposition parties, especially the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in the upcoming polls. The reduction in CNG prices may help the BJP to woo the voters in Delhi-NCR, where it had lost all seven seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
