Auto-rickshaw union urges Maharashtra govt to act on CNG crisis, demand fare revision

An autorickshaw union has urged the Maharashtra government to act on reported Compressed Natural Gas CNG crisis and demanded a fare revisionIn a letter to the state the union has expressed its gratitude to Maharashtras Additional Chief Secretary for Transport and Ports Sanjay Sethi for holding detailed discussions on June 12 2026 regarding issues affecting the states autorickshaw industryAccording to the union the meeting focused on preventing a possible shortage of Compressed Natural Gas CNG and identifying practical measures to reduce fuel consumption across the autorickshaw sector Union representatives said that proper planning by the government could help achieve significant savings in CNG usageOfficials reportedly assured the delegation that discussions would be held with relevant departments to examine the proposals submitted by the unionConcerns remain despite reports of end to tensionsThe tensions between Iran and the United States have eased the union stated that concerns over natural gas supplies remainThe organisation said information received from senior energy industry officials indicates that Indias natural gas supply situation continues to be uncertain India imports a substantial amount of Liquefied Natural Gas LNG from Qatar and the union claims that recent geopolitical developments have affected LNGrelated infrastructure and supply chainsAccording to the information shared by the union restoration of damaged LNG infrastructure could take several years potentially affecting future supply stabilityCNG price hikeThe union also highlighted what it described as a common misconception that lower crude oil prices automatically result in lower CNG pricesRepresentatives argued that crude oil and natural gas markets operate differently and are influenced by separate factors As a result a decline in crude oil prices may not necessarily lead to a reduction in CNG ratesThe union pointed to a recent increase in CNG and PNG prices by Punebased gas distributor MNGL as evidence that gas prices may continue to face upward pressure despite fluctuations in crude oil marketsAnother major issue discussed during the meeting was the demand for an increase in autorickshaw faresThe union stated that approximately 68 per cent of operating costs are linked to the Consumer Price Index CPI while around 18 per cent depend on CNG prices The remaining costs include vehicle maintenance insurance permit renewals uniforms depreciation taxes and interest ratesRepresentatives informed the government that a formal proposal for fare revision has already been submitted to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority MMRTA and other transport authoritiesProposal awaiting consideration by transport authoritiesAccording to the union transport officials have acknowledged receipt of the proposal and assured them that the matter will be examined and placed before the MMRTA at the earliest opportunityThe union also referred to recommendations made by the B C Khatua Committee which suggest annual fare revisions based on the Consumer Price Index The committee reportedly recommended implementing fare adjustments from 1 July each year when the calculated increase exceeds 50 paise per kilometreIndustry warns of significant financial lossesUnion leaders claim that if the proposed fare revision is not implemented from July 1 2026 Autorickshaw operators could suffer substantial financial lossesBased on their calculations the recommended fare adjustment amounts to Rs 108 per kilometre Assuming an average daily operation of 114 kilometres each rickshaw operator could lose approximately Rs 12420 per dayWith an estimated 550000 Autorickshaws operating across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region MMR the union estimates total daily losses could exceed Rs 683 million if the revised fare structure is not introducedCall for positive govt actionThe union has urged the Maharashtra government and transport authorities to consider the fare revision request sympathetically and take timely action to protect the livelihoods of autorickshaw driverownersThe organisation concluded by once again thanking the state government for providing an opportunity for dialogue and expressing hope that the concerns raised during the meeting will receive prompt attention