Delhi CNG Prices Soar to ₹80.09/kg After Second Hike in 48 Hours

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) have witnessed a significant increase for the second time within 48 hours, causing concern among commuters and transport operators. As of Sunday, May 17, 2026, CNG in Delhi is retailing at ₹80.09 per kilogram. This latest hike of Re 1 per kg, effective from 6:00 AM on Sunday, May 17, 2026, follows an earlier increase of ₹2 per kg that came into effect on Friday, May 15, 2026. The combined effect of these revisions means that CNG prices have risen by a total of ₹3 per kilogram in just two days across the region. Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), the primary distributor of CNG in Delhi-NCR, stated that the revision in retail prices is intended to marginally offset the impact of increasing input gas costs and the steep appreciation of the US dollar. This explanation is consistent across various news reports, which also point to escalating global crude oil prices as a major contributing factor. The surge in international crude prices is largely attributed to ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly the US-Israel and Iran conflict that began on February 28, 2026. The blockade and prolonged uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which nearly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas trade passes, have further intensified pricing pressures globally. Beyond Delhi, other cities in the NCR and surrounding regions have also experienced similar price adjustments. For instance, in Noida, Ghaziabad, and Greater Noida, CNG is now priced at ₹88.70 per kg. Gurugram saw its price rise to ₹85.12 per kg, while in cities like Kanpur, Hamirpur, and Fatehpur, rates reached ₹91.42 per kg. This series of hikes in CNG prices comes closely on the heels of increases in petrol and diesel rates. On Friday, May 15, 2026, petrol and diesel prices were raised by approximately ₹3 per litre across the country, marking the first such increase in over four years. Following this revision, petrol in Delhi is now retailing at ₹97.77 per litre, and diesel at ₹90.67 per litre. The repeated fuel price increases are expected to significantly impact daily commuters, particularly auto-rickshaw drivers, taxi operators, and commercial transporters who rely heavily on CNG for its comparatively lower operating costs. This could lead to a rise in public transport fares and an increase in overall household and transportation expenses in the NCR region. Industry sources suggest that despite these hikes, oil marketing companies continue to absorb significant losses, indicating that the increases are calibrated to partially ease margin pressure without causing a major inflationary shock. The government, through Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, has defended the fuel price hikes by comparing India's relatively smaller increases (around 3.2% for petrol and 3.4% for diesel) to much higher surges (20% to nearly 100%) observed in other countries due to the West Asia conflict. This stance highlights the government's effort to balance economic stability with public welfare amidst global energy market volatility. Meanwhile, domestic piped natural gas (PNG) prices and domestic cooking gas (LPG) prices have largely remained unchanged, providing some relief to households.

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