CNG prices in Delhi were on Saturday hiked by about Rs four to Rs 16.83 per kg. The new price would be effective from midnight on Saturday, A K De, managing director of Indraprastha Gas Ltd - the sole supplier of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Delhi - told a news conference in New Delhi. The over 28 per cent increase in CNG prices, from Rs 13.11 per kg to Rs 16.83 per kg, was mainly due to increase in cost of gas by Rs 2.29 per kg besides doubling of operating cost, he said. IGL, a joint venture of state-run Gas Authority of India Ltd, Bharat Petroleum and Delhi government, procures gas at Rs 5.41 per kg. The company incurs an operating cost of Rs 12.44 per kg over the base price besides earmarking Rs 2.07 as margin money. Over and above this is the 16 per cent excise duty, totally Rs 2.32 per kg, De said.
While the existing gas price of Rs 13.11 per kg has a base price of Rs 11.3 per kg (cost of gas plus operating cost and margins) has an excise duty component of Rs 1.81 per kg, the proposed price of Rs 16.83 per kg would have a base price of Rs 14.51 per kg and an excise duty component of Rs 2.32 per kg, he said.
Post-price increase, the per kilometre operating cost of three-wheelers would go up from Rs 0.38 to Rs 0.48 while that of buses would increase from Rs 3.7 to Rs 4.75, De said adding that running a CNG car would now cost Rs 0.81 per km as against Rs 0.63 per km presently.
Bureau Report