Double Burden On Mumbaikars... CNG-PNG Becomes Expensive, Auto And Taxi Fares Rise

Mumbai: Inflation has had another impact on the pockets of people in Maharashtra's capital Mumbai since September 1. Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) has increased the prices of CNG and domestic PNG. At the same time, the minimum fare for auto and taxi has also been increased in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. In such a situation, the expenditure on both travel and cooking gas is going to increase for the people living in Mumbai and surrounding areas.

Has the price of CNG in Mumbai become Rs 88 per kg?

Mahanagar Gas Limited has increased the price of CNG by Rs 2 per kg. After this change, the new price of CNG in Mumbai and surrounding areas has become Rs 88 per kg. According to the company, the new rate has come into effect from midnight on September 1.

MGL has cited the ongoing tension in West Asia and increased input costs as the main reasons behind the price increase. According to the company, the increase in gas prices in the international market has had a direct impact on the cost.

Has domestic PNG also become expensive?

Along with CNG, the price of domestic piped natural gas i.e. PNG has also been increased by Re 1 per SCM. This means that about 30 lakh consumers using PNG in their homes will now have to pay more than before.

MGL says that the demand for CNG remains constant and a large part of the requirement is being met by spot LNG being imported at expensive rates. However, according to the company, only a part of the cost is being recovered from the customers due to the increased price.

Will about 13 lakh vehicle owners be affected by CNG becoming expensive?

The new CNG price will impact CNG vehicle owners living in Mumbai as well as Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Latur and Dharashiv, as well as Chitradurga and Davangere in Karnataka. About 13 lakh CNG vehicles in these areas take gas from MGL's network.

Due to this, the daily cost of autos, taxis and private vehicles running on CNG is expected to increase.

Has the minimum fare for auto and taxi also increased in Mumbai?

The increase in minimum fares for auto and taxi has also come into effect in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) has approved an increase in auto rickshaw fares by Re 1 and black-and-yellow taxi fares by Rs 2.

Now the minimum fare for auto rickshaw has become Rs 27 and the minimum fare for black-yellow taxi has become Rs 33.

Now how much fare will have to be paid per kilometre?

Taxi fare has increased from Rs 20.66 per kilometre to Rs 21.90 per kilometre. At the same time, auto rickshaw fare has been increased from Rs 17.14 to Rs 18.22 per kilometre.

Now you will have to pay Rs 33 instead of Rs 31 for the first 1.5 kilometres in a taxi.

Will drivers have to change meters?

Once the new rates are implemented, drivers can get their electronic meters calibrated as per the new fare rates. Apart from this, fare table approved by RTO can also be installed in the vehicle.

Drivers have been given time till the end of November i.e. about three months to get the meters recalibrated. A fine can be imposed for not updating the meter within the stipulated time.

About 4.5 lakh auto rickshaws and more than 50 thousand black-yellow taxis operate in the Mumbai metropolitan area. A large number of these vehicles operate on CNG. In such a situation, the increase in fare along with increase in the price of CNG can have a direct impact on the monthly budget of common passengers.