Unions call for immediate fare revision after fresh CNG increase
Delhi autorickshaw and taxi unions have formally demanded an upward revision of fares within seven days following a fresh hike in the price of compressed natural gas (CNG) and have threatened to strike city-wide on September 9 if the government does not act, union leaders said on Saturday.
Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) raised CNG prices by ₹3.89 per kg across Delhi and adjoining cities from Saturday, the company said. Transport bodies said a large part of the CNG supplied is now sourced from imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), the spot market for which has firmed up amid the conflict in West Asia.
- Auto Rickshaw Association and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union said cumulative CNG increases over the past two to three months amount to around ₹10–11 per kg.
- The unions demanded either an immediate fare increase or a subsidy on CNG to shield drivers from the higher input cost.
- The All India Motor and Goods Transport Association warned higher CNG prices will push up transport and commodity costs for consumers.
Rajendra Soni, general secretary of the Auto Rickshaw Association and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union, urged the Delhi government to revise fares within a week, saying the latest increase imposes an added financial burden on drivers. "If the fares are not increased, we will hold a strike on September 9," Soni said in a statement.
"The sudden increase of ₹3.89 per kg in CNG prices across Delhi-NCR is not merely a matter of higher fuel costs. It will directly affect the pockets of the common man, the transport industry and, ultimately, the prices of essential commodities." — Rajendra Kapoor, All India Motor and Goods Transport Association
Rajendra Kapoor, president of the All India Motor and Goods Transport Association, said CNG in Delhi has been scaled up to ₹86.98 per kg after the increase. He warned the escalation will have knock-on effects on the cost of freight and daily essentials.
Implications for commuters and policymakers
Autorickshaw and taxi services form a critical layer of urban transport in Delhi, serving commuters across last-mile routes and night-time travel. A short-notice strike would therefore disrupt daily mobility for millions, hitting office-goers, students and essential-workers disproportionately.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Latest CNG increase | ₹3.89 per kg |
| CNG price in Delhi after hike | ₹86.98 per kg |
| Cumulative rise claimed by unions | ~₹10–11 per kg over 2–3 months |
| Strike date threatened | September 9 |
The unions have stopped short of specifying the quantum of fares they seek. They have also called for either a fare hike or targeted subsidy for drivers to offset the rising fuel bill. Implementation of a subsidy would require coordination between the Delhi government and fuel suppliers, and possibly financial provisioning in the short term.
No response from the Delhi government or IGL was included in the unions' statements. The transport department in the past has balanced fare adjustments with concerns over commuter affordability; officials will face pressure to weigh driver incomes against the public interest. A decision either way is likely to be watched closely by consumer groups and the administration ahead of the threatened September 9 action.
With India’s energy import dynamics affected by global events, transport unions across cities have in recent months highlighted the volatility in LNG-linked supplies as a factor driving local CNG pricing. In Delhi, where a significant proportion of urban transport runs on CNG, sharper fuel price movements quickly translate into calls for fare recalibration.
Union leaders have indicated they will continue discussions with the government in the coming days but reiterated that the door to a strike will remain open if no relief is announced within a week.
