Mumbai CNG price rises to Rs 86 per kg, cab drivers fear income loss

The latest hike has triggered concern among cab drivers, who say their incomes are being severely impacted. Representational Pic

The retail price of CNG in Mumbai has now risen to Rs 86 per kg, amid concerns over global energy supplies due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The latest hike has triggered concern among cab drivers, who say their incomes are being severely impacted, reported ANI.

‘Fares remain the same while expenses rise'

Speaking to ANI, local cab driver Faiz Khan said the increase in CNG prices was creating difficulties for drivers whose income has not kept pace with rising expenses.

"All I want to say is that this is causing a lot of trouble now. Earlier, the rate of CNG was lower, and now the price has gone up, but the fares we receive are still the same, they haven't increased. The amount of work we used to get done before is much less now, and we are the ones suffering because of it," he said, reported ANI.

Another driver, Maan Singh Nikam, said repeated hikes in CNG prices were directly impacting their livelihoods.

"If the government keeps increasing inflation like this, what can we even do? This shouldn't happen. They have already raised CNG prices three times, and it should not increase any further. The fares are still the same as before, but the price of CNG keeps rising. It directly impacts our earnings. If we spend most of our income on CNG, our actual earnings remain very low," he said, reported ANI.

‘Fuel prices rise, but customer fares don't'

Echoing similar concerns, driver Shakeel Ahmed said the rise in fuel costs has not been matched by an increase in customer fares.

"It is definitely a loss for us because earlier the rates were low, and now they are high. When we ask customers to pay more, they refuse to increase the fare, and we are forced to work for the same old amount. The customers are not increasing the fares, but the price of gas keeps rising. Inflation is only going up; it is not coming down at all," he said.

Delhi also sees fresh CNG price hike

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the price of CNG was hiked by Rs 2.61 per kg to Rs 102.12 per kg, marking the fourth consecutive increase this month.

(With ANI inputs)