CNG, PNG to cost more in Mumbai from Saturday

Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) has decided to raise the prices of piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) with effect from Saturday.

The increase in PNG in Mumbai will be 15 per cent from Rs 11.82/scm to Rs 13.60/scm, while in Thane the hike will be 13 per cent from Rs 12.05/scm to Rs 13.65/scm, a company release said here today.

In the Mira-Bhayander region in neighbouring Thane district, the increase will be 15 per cent from Rs 11.88/scm to Rs 13.67/scm.

CNG price has been increased in Mumbai by 14 per cent from Rs 21.70 per kilogram to Rs 24.65/kg, while in Thane, the rise is again 14 per cent from Rs 22.14/kg to Rs 25.21/kg, the release said.

In the Mira Road-Bhayander region, the price is up 14 per cent from Rs 21.82/kg to Rs 24.77/kg. In Navi Mumbai, the increase is 12 per cent from Rs 22.23/kg to Rs 24.88/kg.

MGL said that in view of the substantial increase in its gas purchase cost and rise in other non-gas costs, it has been constrained to hike the prices of both CNG and PNG.

The prices of PNG and CNG were kept more or less at same level for the past seven and four years, respectively, the company said.

?During this period, the non-gas costs such as power tariff, reinstatement charges, pipe-laying costs, material costs and other operational expenses have increased tremendously,? the release said.

Though the new gas cost has increased by more than three times compared to the old APM (administered price mechanism) gas price, yet MGL is increasing its selling price of CNG and PNG by only 14 per cent and 15 per cent respectively, it said.