CNG meter faster than auto-rickshaws, unions to protest on May 17

For the first time since Covid restrictions have been lifted, the auto-rickshaw unions have threatened to protest against the rising Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices. They have called for a protest on May 17 to express their displeasure over their monthly earnings taking a hit.

The unions claimed they have been forced to demand a base fare hike from the current Rs 21 to Rs 23 as the business barely generates income to run their families.

Bharat Mehta, a driver from Borivali who has been riding for 45 years now, said, “We have to think twice before ordering tea from roadside stalls, who charge Rs 710 per cup now. So two or three drivers share tea when they meet. Prices of every consumable product have gone up, plus there has been a hike in CNG.” He said their earnings have come down from Rs 500-600 per day to Rs 150-300.

Auto drivers claimed that the cost of maintaining the vehicle, its insurance, and other expenditures, too, has risen manifold. “On a daily basis, we spend Rs 200-250 on CNG from which we manage to fill 3 kg, which doesn’t fill the tank entirely,” said Pramod Mishra, who operates an auto rickshaw in Kurla LTT.

The unions said that the price of CNG has gone up thrice in April alone. Shashank Rao, the president of Mumbai Auto Rickshaw Taximen’s Union said, “Our demand is not having repeated fare hikes as it will hurt both passengers and businesses of auto drivers. We want Mahanagar Gas Limited to provide us CNG gas that is produced and procured within the country rather than giving us imported gas. This could bring down prices of CNG by around 30 per cent.”

At present, the CNG price is Rs 72 per kg. The Mahanagar Gas Limited had earlier raised the retail price by Rs 7 per kg, lowering it on March 31 by Rs 6 per kg after the state government slashed VAT to 3 per cent from 13.5 per cent effective April 1.

CNG price is galloping and is barely a few rupees less than petrol and diesel. Due to the Covid-induced lockdown, the earnings are already affected. We have to pay EMI on an auto rickshaw that is around Rs 6,000 per month, apart from taking care of other expenses.

Kailash Pandit, auto driver, Andheri East

We have to think twice before ordering tea from roadside stalls, who charge Rs 7-10 per cup now. So two or three drivers share tea when they meet. Prices of every consumable product have gone up, plus there has been a hike in CNG.

Bharat Mehta, a driver from Borivali